Tories would ban under-16s from social media

The Conservatives said they would ban under-16s from accessing social media platforms if they were in power, promising to follow the example of Australia, which was the first country to introduce the policy.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said that if his party was in government, smartphones would also be banned in schools.

It’s been a month since Australia’s ban on under-16s using major social media platforms came into force.

The Conservatives say if elected they would follow suit to protect children’s mental health and education and prevent them from viewing harmful content online.

The party wants social media companies such as TikTok and Snapchat to use age verification tools to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms.

The Conservatives say the scope of the policy will be reviewed.

Badenoch said the age limit would protect children and give adults options as well.

Separately, the NASUWT teachers’ union also called for a similar ban (after receiving evidence from its members).

The government does not currently support the idea but insists it is taking action to ensure children can only access age-appropriate content online.

Since July last year, platforms have been required under the Online Safety Act to prevent young people from encountering harmful content related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pornography.

Platforms that fail to comply with legislation enforced by media regulator Ofcom risk fines, imprisonment or, in very serious cases, being banned in the UK.

This spring the government is expected to issue guidance to parents on how much time children under five should spend watching television or staring at computer screens.

Education Minister Bridget Phillipson said around 98 per cent of children watch screens every day by the age of two, with research suggesting more screen use in this age group is linked to poorer language development.

The terms of reference for the national working group, which will be chaired by England’s children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner, scientific adviser to the Department for Education, will be published on Monday.

Parents, children and early childhood practitioners will all be involved in the development of the guide, the first version of which will be published in April.

The education minister insisted it would be “shaped by parents rather than being dictated to them”.