The UK and US have pledged to work together more closely on child online safety as part of a new agreement.

The two governments called on social media sites to do more and act faster to protect children, adding that they would promote greater transparency on these platforms and consider the impact of new technologies on children.

The governments said they will launch a new working group , which will focus on a number of key areas, including how researchers can access privacy-protecting data on social media, as current research on the impact of technology on children and young people is limited.

Technology secretary Peter Kyle said despite the fact that technology can enrich children’s education and social lives, it’s important to maintain a safety environment “baked in from the outset.”

“The digital world has no borders and working with our international partners like the US - one of our closest allies and home to the biggest tech firms - is essential,” he said. “This joint statement will turn our historic partnership towards delivering a safer online world for our next generation.”

The project will build on previous initiatives launched by the UK government, including a guidance for schools on prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day which was published earlier this year.

US secretary of commerce Gina Raimondo added: “As more children across the U.S. and around the globe have access to online platforms for online learning and social media, there is also increased risk to this exposure, that is why we are taking the necessary steps in the United States, and with our UK partners, to protect children’s privacy, safety, and mental health.”

The move comes as Peter Kyle tells the BBC that many schools are banning the use of mobile phones. He added that the area he represents currently has “not a single school” where the use of devices is still permitted.

---