Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor widely expected to become Prime Minister on July 20, has confirmed his support for a social media ban for under 16s, describing it as a “critical first step” to keeping children safe online. He has already spoken to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall about the plans and wants the measure delivered with “urgency.”
Burnham’s Commitment to Online Safety
A spokeswoman for Mr Burnham told The Mirror: “Andy is committed to keeping kids safe online, and has been vocal in his support of age restrictions for kids using social media. He knows this ban is a critical first step to keeping kids safe online and preventing further tragedies for families. The task now is to build on the consensus across political parties to make sure it’s enforced in full, and delivered with the urgency this issue demands.”
Mr Burnham threw his weight behind Kemi Badenoch's calls for a social media ban in January, but his position had not been confirmed since Keir Starmer announced one last month. The ban is expected to apply to all major social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, following Australia's model.
Starmer’s Ban and Implementation Doubts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ms Kendall unveiled the social media ban for under 16s last month, aiming to shore up their legacy on protecting children online. However, Starmer’s resignation just weeks later cast doubt over its implementation in early 2027. Ms Kendall has confirmed further measures for teens aged 16 to 17, including overnight curfews and limits on infinite scrolling, which will go ahead later this month.
Ms Kendall told The Mirror the social media ban will be a “big reset moment,” but acknowledged that the fast pace of technology means the issue is not “one and done.” She said: “I'm strongly minded, as I said during my statement, that overnight curfews being sort of on as default for 16 and 17 year olds, breaks in infinite scrolling as well for 16 and 17 year olds, I think that's very, very important. We're looking at a whole range of other things. We'll say more before the house breaks for the summer, but I'd also just say to you and Mirror readers, this technology is just continually changing and this is not one and done. I believe that the ban on social media companies providing their services to children 16 is a big reset moment.”
Legislative Process and Timetable
Officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will spend the summer “motoring” onwards to meet a tight timetable. Ms Kendall wants MPs to vote on the legislation by the end of the year. Powers under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act allow the Government to introduce new online safety measures via a statutory instrument (SI), a faster law-making method with a 40-day fixed period for passage. Officials are racing to ensure the SI is watertight to avoid legal challenges.
Media regulator Ofcom has been given an October deadline to provide information on highly effective age assurance methods. Ms Kendall has asked that these methods be accessible, so adults without a passport or driving licence can verify their age easily.
Criticism from Campaigners
Some campaigners, including the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), oppose the ban and urge Mr Burnham to be “bolder” in addressing social media platform design features. They warn a ban could create a false sense of safety, push children into darker online spaces, and create a cliff edge at age 16. Andy Burrows, chief executive of MRF, said: “Keir Starmer rushed into announcing a social media ban without a clear plan to implement it and it’s now up to Andy Burnham to sort out a meaningful strategy. A Burnham Government will need to be clear headed about the likely impacts and limitations of a ban, and that means setting regulatory incentives that are up to the task and prioritising safety-by-design regulation across the stack, from social media to AI. Andy Burnham has shown a strong interest in online safety and he will know that most parents want decisive and tangible action, not false promises or half-baked measures that deliver performative headlines over concrete change.”
