Thanks to support from Stephanie von Bismarck.
Baroness Beeban Kidron, the director behind Bridget Jones and child protection advocate has spoken out about the government’s role in making digital spaces safer for children. In a recent episode of How Do We Manage? Kidron shares her passionate views on the Online Safety Act, which comes into force this summer.
Calling social media algorithms a major threat, Kidron tells fellow child protection campaigner Stephanie von Bismarck that these technologies are “extinguishing childhood.” She stresses the importance of society’s role in preparing children for the digital world, saying: “Educating children and preparing them for the world is a societal responsibility” and clarifies that “education isn’t about ‘how to stay safe online’ - it’s about understanding how the system works, what’s being done to you, and how to advocate for change.”
Kidron highlights key provisions in the upcoming legislation, noting: “[From 25th July 2025] it will be illegal in the UK to algorithmically serve pornography, self-harm, pro-suicide, and extreme diets to those under 18. That’s a lot more than anyone thought legislation could achieve.”
Looking to the future, she is optimistic about the potential to redesign the digital landscape: “We know now that we can design a digital world that responds to the needs of childhood. People used to say it couldn’t be done - now we have the law to prove it can.”
The podcast episode also explores the emotional, developmental, and creative costs of excessive screen time, particularly for young children, and discusses why involving children in shaping legislation is crucial.
Listen to the two part episode here and here.
