Social media companies face huge fines if they fail to stop children using their services under new proposals.
The government has told tech firms they will need to find much more effective ways to stop children accessing their platforms, other than just asking for a date of birth.
Most social media sites say their services are for people aged at least 13. UK and US law prohibits websites and apps from collecting personal data of anyone under 13 without parental consent.
A survey showed that about 60 per cent of eight-year-olds and 90 per cent of 12-year-olds in England say they use private messaging services that have a minimum age limit of 13.
The proposals say that companies will be expected to “prevent children from
