The New Dark Age

Monday, 15 June 2026 — Together

The UK government today announced a new under-16 social media ban alongside proposals for stricter age verification online. But what does this actually mean in practice? In this timely interview (recorded Friday), Rob Tyson speaks with Jen Persson, Director of Defend Digital Me, about the implications of these changes for children’s rights, privacy, education data, and the future of digital identity in the UK.

Jen explains how recent legislation, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, combined with ongoing online “safety” measures, could reshape how people access the internet — and whether age verification systems may increasingly rely on identity checks. We also discuss the government’s consultation on children’s online safety, concerns about digital ID infrastructure, school data systems, and the growing use of technology platforms in education. Key topics covered:

• The UK under-16 social media ban and what it actually involves
• How age verification systems work in practice
• Whether “age checks” could lead to identity verification online
• The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act and child data collection
• The role of school platforms and edtech companies
• Digital identity, data linking, and government infrastructure
• Parental rights, consent, and control over children’s data
• The future of online access, privacy, and freedom in the UK

Key question explored: Are we moving towards a future where accessing parts of the internet requires proving your identity?