Essex experts support Parliamentary social media briefing

Law experts from the University of Essex have helped shape a new government briefing on the impacts of social media on children and young people.

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has cited research and submissions from Dr Francis Rees and Dr Alexandros Antoniou, both of Essex Law School, in its new paper.

The briefing will supply politicians in the Houses of Parliament and Lords with the latest research on the role of social media on young people as the topic continues to be debated in the coming months amid changes to legislation.

Dr Rees is the author of one of the very first child influencer toolkits, which promotes best practice in a largely unregulated industry.

She said: “My contribution to POST’s work on the impacts of social media on children and young people aimed to draw attention to children who appear in social media content, an area that can be missed when online safety debates focus primarily on children as users.

“My research looks at the risks that can arise when children are featured in family and influencer content, including impacts on privacy, dignity, identity, family relationships, education, safety, and longer-term control over their digital presence.

“It’s these very issues that informed the Children in Content Digital Safeguarding Toolkit, and must be examined further by government to ensure those in the industry are better protected.”

Dr Antoniou is a media law expert whose research into influencer marketing has exposed legal loopholes which are being exploited to perpetuate stereotypes and harmful messaging.

He said: “I was pleased to contribute to POST’s briefing because the debate on social media and children needs to look beyond screen time and also interrogate the commercial content children encounter online.

“For young people, social media advertising often arrives as a friendly recommendation or entertainment from someone they trust.

“My research on influencer marketing shows that the real concern is not only hidden ads, but the wider pattern: questionable wellness claims, quick money promises, damaging messages about bodies, gender and status can all be made persuasive by being folded into relatable content.

“One advert rarely causes one harm, but repeated exposure can help normalise pressures that children should not have to manage alone. Media literacy is important, but it cannot do all the heavy lifting.

“Brands, platforms, content creators and regulators should carry more of the responsibility for the commercial environment young people are growing up in.”

The POSTnote is available to read here