It is understood the first meeting, which took place on Tuesday, covered the technical issues as well as the policy choices involved.
If Guernsey did decide to follow the UK in this regard, there is provision for the States to ask for a relevant piece of UK legislation to be extended to the Bailiwick.
After the talks, the States issued a short statement in response to a Guernsey Press inquiry.
‘The States of Guernsey are in discussion with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology about the UK’s recent announcement on the social media ban for under-16s and how this might work with our consideration of extending parts of the UK Online Safety Act 2023. These are complex issues that deserve serious and careful consideration not only of various viewpoints and the evidence base, but also the practicalities of local application.’
Local political reaction to the concept of a social media ban for Guernsey children has been mixed, but a survey of members of the public suggested strong support for the idea.
No timeframe has yet been put on when the States will decide whether or not the ban should be extended to Guernsey.