London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has issued a stark warning, cautioning that online misogyny risks creating 'a lost generation of young men', as he intensified his call for a ban on social media for under-16s. The Mayor's intervention comes amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer from campaigners, including bereaved parents whose children's deaths have been linked to social media use, to introduce an Australia-style prohibition.
Government consultation concludes
The government's recent consultation on children's online experiences, which explored various protective measures such as a ban for under-16s, app curfews, and limits on addictive features, concluded last week. While Sir Keir has promised to take 'game-changer' action on the issue and vowed to move quickly, he has not yet committed to a definitive ban on under-16s accessing social media platforms.
Khan's public backing
Sir Sadiq, a Labour Party colleague of the Prime Minister, has now publicly backed such a measure, having previously suggested monitoring the impact of Australia's approach. Addressing an audience of founders and investors at SXSW in London on Tuesday, Sir Sadiq asserted that tech firms must unequivocally prove their services are safe for children, or face a ban on being available to those under the age of 16.
'A ban on under-16s is the only way to stem the harms we know are happening right now,' he said.
Sir Sadiq has previously said the impact of Australia's ban should be monitored, but is now publicly backing such a measure.
'From food to pharmaceuticals, almost every company has to prove that its products are safe before they're sold. I see no reason why social media firms shouldn't do the same.'
Addressing misogyny and the 'manosphere'
However, he said a ban alone will not solve online misogyny nor the challenges to masculinity from online influencers from the 'manosphere'. He called on tech companies to 'explain how misogyny spreads like wildfire on their platforms, and publicly set out how they'll adjust their algorithms to stop it', adding: 'If they refuse to act, then the state will step up.'
Announcing a £1 million package of measures to support boys and young men across the capital, he warned that online misogyny risks 'a lost generation of young men', branding so-called manosphere influencers 'snake oil salesmen who take advantage of young men's ambition to peddle pound shop misogyny'.
He also called for efforts to engage young men amid the conversations around 'toxic masculinity', rather than risk leaving many feeling 'alienated' and 'looking for validation elsewhere'.
Measures to support young men
His office said the £1 million package of measures includes supporting vulnerable boys in schools and pupil referral units through the mayor's violence reduction unit, funding a new programme for fathers, and putting football mentors into communities across the capital.
Speaking to the Press Association after his speech, Sir Sadiq said Ofcom – the media regulator – should not be afraid to ask the Government for more powers to force social media companies to explain why their algorithms allow misogyny to 'spread like wildfire'.
'If there's a need for more legislation, then Ofcom shouldn't be scared to ask the government for that,' he said. '(Social media companies) should be asked to change their algorithm. Ofcom has got powers, and if they say they're not going to have powers, they should ask the government for more powers.'
