The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to enhancing children's online safety. This announcement was made during the G7 Ministerial on Industry, Technology, and Digital as part of the U.S.-UK Comprehensive Dialogue on Technology & Data.

Both nations recognize shared values in democracy and human rights, including privacy and freedom of expression. They are taking steps with international partners to ensure children's safety online. "To make the Internet safer for children, we should aim to ensure all users have the skills and resources they need to make safe and informed choices online," reads the statement.

A joint working group is planned to advance these goals. The statement highlights that smartphone ownership among teenagers is nearly universal in both countries, with significant engagement on social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube.

The UK Government's Online Safety Act mandates online platforms to protect children by implementing age assurance technologies against harmful content. Similarly, the U.S. government has launched initiatives such as the Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force following a 2023 advisory from the Surgeon General about social media's impact on youth mental health.

The joint statement calls for increased transparency from online platforms regarding their safety practices. It stresses the importance of independent research into technology's effects on children's development. "We should continue to advocate for increased transparency from online platforms," it states.

Both governments urge companies to adopt risk-based approaches in design and deployment while maintaining respect for human rights. The statement concludes by encouraging international collaboration to develop global standards prioritizing children's wellbeing.