Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce new restrictions on social media use for children under 16, aiming to "call time on a system that's failing our kids." The proposed measures, informed by a public consultation, could include outright bans on certain platforms and restrictions on others.
The proposed social media restrictions signal a significant government intervention aimed at protecting children from online harms, potentially impacting major technology platforms and the digital habits of millions of young people. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between safeguarding children and concerns about censorship, freedom of access, and the effectiveness of broad bans.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce significant new restrictions on social media use for children under 16, stating his intention to "call time on a system that's failing our kids." The move comes after a government consultation where 90% of over 116,000 respondents supported an outright ban for under-16s, with more than 83% believing the risks of social media outweigh its benefits.
Reports indicate that the new measures could involve banning children under 16 from 10 specific social media platforms, mirroring restrictions currently in place in Australia. These platforms reportedly include TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook, and Kick. The UK government may also implement further measures, such as curfews for older teenagers and limitations on the use of AI chatbots.
However, some campaigners, including Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell who died at 14 after viewing harmful content online, have voiced concerns. Russell stated he would be "dismayed" by such bans, arguing they could create a "false sense of safety" and push children to less regulated parts of the internet. Organisations like the NSPCC, Internet Watch Foundation, and Childnet have echoed these sentiments, advocating for better regulation rather than outright bans.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, while not pre-empting the Prime Minister's announcement, emphasized that the debate is about "how, not whether, we better protect children online." She highlighted the strong support for a ban during the consultation and suggested that the proposed changes would foster a worthwhile cultural shift in how children engage with online spaces.