UK government ‘would consider’ Australia-style social media ban for under-16s
UK ministers will closely monitor Australia’s social media ban on under-16s, Culture Minister Lisa Nandy has confirmed, as the government unveils its 10-year national youth plan.
While no immediate action is planned in the UK due to “feasibility” concerns, Ms Nandy suggested action could be taken in the future if the Australian policy was successful.
It comes with a £500 million package to revitalize youth services, including building or renovating 250 youth centers and ensuring more children have access to a “trusted adult” outside their home.
Ms Nandy made the comments to broadcasters on Wednesday, answering questions about the potential for pursuing Australia’s approach to social media accounts aimed at under-16s.
Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch face fines of up to A$49.5 million (£24.7 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove such accounts.
“We’re obviously keeping a close eye on how this plays out in Australia because we know young people are really struggling with the time they spend online and what happens to them online,” Ms Nandy told Sky News.
But when asked whether the ban was a good idea, he told Times Radio: “We don’t think so.
“We asked young people what they thought about this issue and the overwhelming response was concerns about feasibility.
“Are we seriously saying we are going to sue young people for going to social media?”
The Cabinet minister said the Government could change its approach if the ban gained support among young people.
“Yes, we would definitely consider it, not only if it worked, but if young people believed that it worked and had confidence that it was a solution,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Under plans announced on Wednesday, the Government will aim to give 500,000 more young people access to an adult, such as a youth worker, they can trust to help them cope with challenges such as staying safe online.
A network of 50 “young future” centres, defined as bringing together different services under one roof, will also be established by March 2029, with the first eight to be operational by March 2026.
Opposition critics claimed the plan did not meet the action needed to help young people, while the Conservatives said the future looked “increasingly bleak” for the next generation under Labour.
The government hopes the plans will protect young people from “online isolation” in favor of “connection and real-life connections”.
It follows a so-called “state of the nation” survey commissioned by Ms Nandy, which heard from more than 14,000 young people across the UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he believed improving children’s prospects was “our generation’s greatest responsibility” as he warned of “a decade of losing young children”.
“As a father and Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation’s greatest responsibility to reverse a decade of losing young children who are left as collateral damage. This is our moral mission,” he said.
The Government must do “much more” to ensure all children have access to the local services they deserve, the Liberal Democrats said.
Munira Wilson, the party’s spokesperson for education, children and families, said: “The Government also owes it to every child with special educational needs and their families to reform the broken Referral system and ensure they are not left behind.”
“He can’t keep dumping rubbish on the road; the future of thousands of defenseless children is at stake.”
Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston said any new investment in youth services was “welcome” but added: “Young people need a strong, growing economy that can deliver real jobs and real prospects.
“Instead, Labour’s economic mismanagement and tax increases are forcing businesses to close, squeezing opportunities as inflation continues to rise.
“The outlook for the next generation under Labor is increasingly bleak.”
