- Google UK's managing director, Kate Alessi, has stated that a blanket ban on social media for under-16s is not the "right approach," arguing it could push children to more dangerous online spaces and remove parental choice.
- Her comments come amid active government consultation in the UK regarding such a ban and follow a landmark US court case where Google and Meta were found liable for a woman's childhood social media addiction.
- Google, which owns YouTube, plans to appeal the U.S. court verdict, which ordered them to pay $6m (£4.6m) in damages for "deliberately designing addictive products."
- Despite opposing a ban, Ms Alessi emphasised the importance of "appropriate guardrails," highlighting YouTube's new features like timers and "Bedtime" functions to prevent addictive behaviours.
- Separately, Google announced a new community programme, "AI Works for Britain," launching pop-up hubs and university tours across the UK to boost AI knowledge and skills, supported by nearly £2 million in funding.
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