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Prof Andrew Przybylski, Professor of Human Behaviour, University of Oxford, said:
“With this legislation, the UK is embarking on an unpredictable new chapter for internet – and by extension – youth mental health policy.
“Because scientific evidence for demonstrating the harmful effects justifying the law is not reliable, it will be easy for technology companies to challenge proposed changes to their platforms.
“It is essential that robust evidence shape and reshape the forthcoming codes of conduct for firms from here on out.
“Independent researchers will need access to data from large firms to study both their effects on young people to inform the regulator.
“It will be critical to verify that changes to platforms have measurable benefits and minimal unintended consequences. Such evaluations need to be impartial to tech firms and the regulator.
“At present there are no reliable methods to determine if specific products of procedures thought to make the internet safer for young people work. If we are going to credibly improve the safety and wellbeing of our children online, this must change.”
Declared interests
Prof Andrew Przybylski: No COIs to disclose.