Nine in 10 parents back social media ban for children, says Technology Secretary
The Technology Minister said parents overwhelmingly support Australian-style restrictions on children’s social media.
Ministers are considering a ban on social media for under-16s and more than 80,000 people responded to a consultation on whether restrictions should be introduced.
One option is an Australian-style ban banning children under 16 from having social media accounts.
Other recommendations in the consultation include a curfew on the app and restrictions on more addictive features.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Technology Minister Liz Kendall said a ban was “absolutely on the table”, revealing nine in 10 parents support Australian-style restrictions.
He said: “There’s been a really huge response from parents and I think they’re crying out for help and support.
“They know there are some good things kids can benefit from this (social media), but they worry about what they see.”
Some 42,410 parents responded to the consultation, suggesting tens of thousands supported the ban.
Ms Kendall’s comments are the strongest indication yet that the Government is preparing to introduce a ban.
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to take action within “weeks, not months” at a meeting on Tuesday with parents of children whose deaths were linked to social media.
But Scotland’s children’s commissioner, Nicola Killean, questioned the effectiveness of the ban and said it would “do little to address underlying problems such as exploitative algorithms”.
In its submission to the UK Government consultation, it said the evidence on bans was “limited, mixed and still emerging”, adding: “Blanket restrictions may risk shifting responsibility from platforms to children.”
