The addiction economy and a new era for online safety | Commercial Awareness Compass #67

UK MPs recently rejected a proposal to ban social media for under-sixteens in a vote on amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing in Schools Bill. This decision avoids a blanket prohibition that critics feared might drive young users toward darker corners of the internet. Instead of a total ban, Parliament backed flexible powers giving ministers specific powers to impose lower age limits on apps or restrict certain harmful features.This decision creates uncertainty for the tech companies and ultimately raises questions about how they should prepare to operate under these new powers. Could this new regime prove more effective than a total ban? How will social media companies balance profit and regulatory pressure? And what legal risks do platforms face?The Commercial Awareness Compass by AllAboutLaw, helps you build your commercial awareness every week with a beginners, intermediate and advanced breakdown of a story from an expert lawyer and trainee solicitor host. This story was taken from a live conversation a few months ago. If you don't want to wait for these conversations, head over to the Commercial Awareness Compass to get them straight to your inbox each week. 🚀 Boost your commercial awareness: https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/commercial-awareness-compass