Cyber-bullying isn’t a new thing, you only need to find old forums and message boards to realize that. But cyber-bullying has become an important online topic as social media has grown giving more people a platform and voice. It has become, like any sort of unwelcomed behavior, an increasingly annoying issue for many. Now the British Digital Minister Matt Hancock is calling on Facebook and Twitter (and others) to address the issue with a little more zeal. Mr. Hancock is attempting to encourage the two social media giants with new codes and a potential £20 million fine.
Digital Minister Matt Hancock last night said a package of new powers would force social media giants for the first time to make their software and products “age appropriate”.
The new proposed “code of practice” would make social media sites default the highest measure of privacy settings on young users accounts.
Speaking to The Sun, Mr. Hancock said: “This statutory code will require tailored protections to be built into websites and apps for children under 16. “We all want rules in place so children can be safe and protected online. And at the moment that’s not happening.”
While social media companies like Facebook and Twitter have made moves to fight cyber-bullying, British legislators obviously don’t feel it’s enough. It will be interesting to see the response from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms on this new “code of practice.”
What do you think of the “code of practice” the British government wants in place for social media? Do you think social media platforms could be doing more to fight cyber-bullying? Have you been the victim of online bullying? Do you think legislation like this is going to help? Let us know in the comments below, or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button link=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5109617/twitter-and-facebook-will-be-fined-up-to-20million-if-they-fail-to-tackle-cyber-bullying-in-government-crackdown/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: The Sun[/button]
