Social media ban ‘on the table’ after parents overwhelmingly back Australian-style restrictions
The Technology Minister has confirmed that parents are overwhelmingly in favor of Australian-style restrictions on children’s social media.
Ministers are currently considering a possible ban on under-16s following a public consultation that received responses from more than 80,000 people.
One key proposal being considered is an Australian-inspired ban that would prevent children under 16 from owning social media accounts.
Other options outlined in the consultation include imposing a curfew on apps and limiting the platforms’ more addictive features.
In an interview with Sunday MirrorTechnology Minister Liz Kendall said a ban was “definitely 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.
The Prime Minister is expected to announce plans to restrict social media for under-16s in the coming weeks.
This move is expected to be made ahead of the Makerfield by-election on June 18. This follows the recent closure of a public consultation that received more than 81,000 responses, the Press Association reported.
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.”
