A petition opposing the UK government's plan to ban social media for under-16s has surpassed 150,000 signatures, just over a day after the policy was announced. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the proposal during an early-morning press conference on Monday, stating he is 'not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children'.
Mixed Reactions from Charities and Experts
While many charities and campaign groups welcomed the ban, some voiced strong criticism. The Royal Society for Blind Children warned that the ban 'risks cutting off vital routes to connection for children who are already too often excluded' and pledged to work on mitigating the impact. Fact-checking organization Full Fact called the move a 'misguided, retrograde step and a de facto surrender in the fight against harmful online misinformation'.
Petition Gains Momentum
The petition against the ban was originally launched on the official Parliament website in February, amid growing pressure on the government to take action. Its creator, Leo Rhodes, argued: 'I think the government shouldn't ban social media for under 16s. This is because for many young people social media is how they communicate with their friends. Some people view social media as a lifeline. A community, a supportive network.'
Approximately three weeks after the petition's launch, the government began a consultation on improving online safety for under-16s. That consultation became one of the largest ever conducted in the UK, receiving 116,000 responses, including contributions from tens of thousands of parents nationwide.
Government Response and Next Steps
Yesterday's announcement marked the first official government response to the consultation, also covering livestreaming and gaming platforms. Within hours of Starmer confirming the plans, the petition surpassed 100,000 signatures, meaning Parliament will consider debating the issue. The signature count has since grown by 50%, continuing to rise by hundreds every few minutes.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated: 'We are giving children their childhood back. I am clear-eyed about all the challenges that social media brings, for adults as well as children, and technology constantly changes.' She added that other issues, such as the use of VPNs to bypass restrictions, would be addressed next month following the conclusion of a pilot scheme.
