Facebook and Twitter users in the United Kingdom will be able to wipe their social media slate clean before they turn 18 under legislation proposed by Conservatives, the Telegraph reports.
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May will announce plans for new legislation that will allow Facebook and Twitter users to delete all photos, messages and information they published online as teenagers. New laws will also require social media companies to respond immediately when users flag potentially inappropriate content.
In addition, social media companies will also face major fines if they fail to stop people from "unintentionally" coming across hate speech, pornography and other harmful material.
They will also be legally responsible for taking down "inappropriate, bullying, harmful or illegal content" flagged by users.
May said that the internet had brought "a wealth of opportunity, but also significant new risks which have evolved faster than society's response to them."
"We want social media companies to do more to help redress the balance and will take action to make sure they do," she said. "These measures will help make Britain the best place in the world to start and run a digital business, and the safest place in the world for people to be online."
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