Health Secretary Wes Streeting has taken a significant step towards exploring a potential ban on social media for children under 16 by inviting a leading American campaigner to brief UK government officials.
US Expert to Advise on Australian-Style Restrictions
Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of Anxious Generation and a prominent advocate for stricter digital rules for young people, has been asked to address an event with staff, charities, and MPs. This move comes as part of a push for the UK to consider emulating a landmark ban recently introduced in Australia, which came into force at the start of the year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled a shift in position this week, stating he was "open" to stricter limits and was "looking at Australia" for potential models of enforcement. This marks a change from his previous scepticism, where he had warned that a ban could be difficult to police and might drive teenagers towards the dark web.
Growing Cross-Party Consensus for Action
The Prime Minister's comments reflect a burgeoning consensus in Westminster. The issue has gained urgency partly due to the recent controversy over an AI tool on X that allowed users to generate sexualised images.
Several party leaders have now indicated support for considering a ban. Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats and Nigel Farage of Reform UK have both left the door open to such a policy. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledged to enact a ban if elected, and Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has also voiced his support.
Labour MP Fleur Anderson, a campaigner for stricter curbs, welcomed the Prime Minister's new stance, stating: "It is time we regulated this and gave young people the protections they need."
Internal Government Debates and Enforcement Concerns
Despite the growing political momentum, the government remains divided on the practicalities. While Streeting is a vocal proponent, warning of the impact of "doom scrolling" on children's cognitive development, other senior ministers harbour reservations.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is examining the Australian policy but is also heeding warnings from charities like the NSPCC. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson share similar concerns about enforcement and unintended consequences.
Nandy, who commissioned a survey of 14,000 young people finding most opposed an outright ban, questioned last year: "Are we really saying as a country that we’re going to start prosecuting under-18s for using social media?"
The issue is set to come to a head in Parliament next week. Government sources are concerned that Labour peers may support or abstain on a Conservative-led amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill, proposed by former minister John Nash, which would institute a ban for under-16s. If passed in the Lords, the amendment would then move to the Commons, where it could attract cross-party support.
