Social media giants must not be let off the hook​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Not being cynical of course, The Scotsman would instead welcome anything which makes life safer for our youngsters, and will prevent some of the appalling tragedies which we have all read about.

Action is long overdue in this space. There are real concerns, however, that this is not necessarily the most effective action, nor that it is being implemented by the right people.

The social media giants have the responsibility for what appears on their platforms, and should have been forced long before now to ensure that children were safe not exposed to dangerous or inappropriate content.

Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean makes the point today that enforcing a ban on children takes away the responsibility from the companies to make social media safer.

“We want safeguards and the regulation of platforms to be strengthened – and enforced. Platforms must be made to take more accountability in preventing harm – addictive and exploitative features should be the focus.

“Platforms should change so they are suitable for children, rather than children simply being banned from them,” she says.

She points to a “real risk” that children will be driven to darker places on the internet and stop talking to adults about what they might see.

It does point to the danger of rushing ahead with a ban especially when the results from Australia appear inconclusive. It is all the more reason that this must be given extensive scrutiny.

Action to protect children from the harmful impacts of social media is entirely welcome, but we cannot let the social media firms off the hook with this legislation. What is required is both legislation and firm regulation.

Rushed or not, Sir Keir’s announcement was an important step. The key is now getting this right, and not inadvertently making the problem worse.