Tech Firms Failed Two Generations of Teenagers on Safety, Crime Chief Warns

The National Crime Agency’s warning that tech giants have failed two generations of teenagers on safety should come as no surprise to anyone following the online landscape. The agency’s advocacy for a ban on social media use for under-16s, unless platforms significantly change their “high-risk” features, is a stark indictment of the industry’s priorities.

Graeme Biggar, the NCA director general, has accused tech companies of prioritizing profit over child safety in their product design. This systemic issue has been building for years, and the online environment is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for exploitation, abuse, and crime.

The six “high-risk” features identified by Biggar – mass discoverability of children online, unrestricted contact from unknown adults, encrypted messaging, algorithms promoting harmful content, nude image sharing or screening, and weak age verification processes – are all symptoms of a broader problem. Tech companies have consistently prioritized user growth and engagement over user safety, relying on governments to regulate their activities.

The NCA’s call for a ban is not an easy solution, but it may be necessary to force tech companies to rethink their priorities. As Gavin Stephens, NPCC chief constable, noted, online platforms have become lawless territories where criminals can roam free and exploit vulnerabilities in the system.

However, implementing a ban would require significant investments in safety features by tech companies. This necessitates leadership from governments and regulators, who must work together to create a framework for accountability and enforcement.

The statistics are alarming – last year, the NCA received 92,000 reports of potential child sexual abuse activity online, a fourfold increase in seven years. The agency estimates that between 710,000 and 840,000 adults in the UK pose some degree of sexual risk to children.

Australia’s decision to ban children from platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok has sparked debate over social media use and age verification. As the British government’s consultation on this issue closes next week, policymakers must take a hard look at the recommendations made by the NCA and NPCC.

The question is not whether tech companies can change their ways; it’s whether they will be forced to do so. The online world reflects our society – often prioritizing profit over people. But in this case, the consequences are too dire to ignore. It’s time for governments and regulators to take action and ensure that tech companies prioritize child safety above all else.

May 26 marks the deadline for submissions to the “growing up in an online world” consultation. As we wait for policymakers to act, it’s essential that we recognize the scale of the problem and demand more from tech companies. They have a responsibility to protect their users, especially children, who are most vulnerable to exploitation online.

Ultimately, this is not just about social media or age verification; it’s about the kind of world we want to create for our children. Do we prioritize profit over people, or do we take steps to ensure that technology serves humanity? The choice is clear – let’s hope policymakers have the courage to make it.