FlippGen welcomes the children’s online safety consultation, but urges the government to ensure young people are heard

“FlippGen welcomes the announcement of a government consultation on children’s online safety. We are pleased by the wide scope of the consultation, covering interventions which tackle addictive design and AI chatbot harms, both of which are areas addressed by the For Us manifesto.

We hope that young people are meaningfully consulted as part of the process. Young people have grown up in a digital world, and are experts by experience, meaning their voice is absolutely essential. It is important that the consultation listens to a wide range of young people, including those from vulnerable communities.

The consultation must be comprehensive and also open-minded. Nothing should be ruled in-or-out before the voices of young people and other key stakeholders have been listened to. All available solutions should be explored, and the policies implemented as a result of the consultation should be chosen because they are correct, not for political reasons. 

FlippGen will be putting forwards our proposals for a safer online world which we have outlined in the For Us manifesto. This includes three pledges: ban on addictive design for under-18s, digital literacy education for all, and a limit on AI companions for under-16s.

Throughout the consultation period and beyond, FlippGen will work tirelessly to ensure young people’s voices are part of the conversation. This will include both formal and informal feedback into the consultation process.”

Three of our rebels talking to the Prime Minister and Liz Kendall about why they do not agree with a blanket social media ban for under 16s.