Google UK Chief Warns Against Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Kate Alessi, the managing director and vice-president of Google UK and Ireland, has issued a stark warning against implementing a blanket social media ban for children under 16. She argues that such a prohibition is not the "right approach" and could inadvertently drive young people towards more hazardous and unsupervised corners of the internet.
Risks of Pushing Children to Unmonitored Spaces
In an interview with the Press Association, Alessi emphasized that Google, which operates YouTube, does not support "blanket bans" as the Government faces increasing pressure to restrict social media access for youngsters. She cautioned that if the UK follows Australia's example—which introduced a world-first social media ban for under-16s in December—it might lead to unintended negative consequences.
"We don't believe that's the right approach," Alessi stated. "We believe blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces." Instead, she highlighted the importance of establishing "appropriate guardrails" to ensure online safety.
Google's Initiatives for Safer Online Environments
To address concerns about children's digital wellbeing, YouTube has recently rolled out features designed to prevent addictive behaviors among young users. These include timers for its Shorts format, along with personalized "Bedtime" and "Take a break" functions. "We want to make sure our products are built to be as safe as possible," Alessi affirmed, adding that Google will continue to collaborate with the Government on this issue.
This discussion comes amid heightened scrutiny of social media platforms. Last week, a landmark legal case in the US found Meta and Google liable for a woman's childhood social media addiction, ordering them to pay damages totaling $6 million (£4.6 million). Alessi noted that Google does not accept the verdict and plans to appeal.
Broader Context and Government Actions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated readiness to take measures restricting features that keep young people engaged on social media, with the Government currently consulting on a potential ban for under-16s. Alessi's remarks underscore the ongoing debate between regulatory intervention and industry-led solutions.
Google's AI Education Push Across the UK
In related news, Google has announced a new community initiative aimed at boosting artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge and skills to support professional development in Britain. The tech giant is setting up pop-up hubs—dubbed Squeeze the Juice bars—in locations including Leeds, Liverpool, Wales, Lanarkshire, and Birmingham, as well as in the Government's designated AI Growth Zones in Oxfordshire and the North East.
These hubs will offer "quick win" demonstrations on topics such as automating administrative tasks and using agentic tools for research, plus guidance on building a social media presence. Additionally, Google is launching a nationwide tour of university campuses and allocating nearly £2 million in funding through its Google.org charitable division to support AI programmes run by social enterprise group Inco, children's charity Chance, and the Good Things Foundation.
Recent research commissioned by Google revealed that only a quarter of AI users feel they are obtaining significant value, with just one in 10 considering themselves advanced users. "Unlocking real value means moving beyond basic adoption to 'squeeze the juice' from these tools," Alessi commented. "With AI Works for Britain, we'll bring practical AI skills to people in every corner of the UK—from juice bars to Jobcentres—to help them use AI to achieve their goals."
