Parents are overwhelmingly in favour of Australian-style restrictions on social media for children, the Technology Secretary has confirmed. Ministers are currently weighing up a potential ban for under-16s, following a public consultation that garnered responses from more than 80,000 individuals.
Proposals Under Consideration
One key proposal under consideration is an Australian-inspired prohibition, which would prevent children under 16 from holding social media accounts. Other options outlined in the consultation include implementing app curfews and imposing limits on platforms' more addictive features.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said a ban was “definitely on the table” as she revealed nine in 10 parents had backed Australian-style restrictions. She said: “It’s been a really overwhelming response from parents, and I think parents are crying out for help and support. They know that there are some good things that kids can get from it (social media) but they are worried about what they’re seeing.”
Consultation Response Details
Some 42,410 parents responded to the consultation, suggesting tens of thousands have backed a ban. Ms Kendall’s comments are the strongest indication yet that the Government is preparing to introduce a ban.
Sir Keir Starmer pledged action within “weeks, not months” at a meeting on Tuesday with parents of children whose deaths were linked to social media. The prime minister is expected to announce plans for a clampdown on social media for under-16s in the coming weeks. This move is anticipated ahead of the Makerfield by-election on 18 June. It follows the recent closure of a public consultation, which, the Press Association reports, received over 81,000 responses.
Opposing Views
But Scotland’s children’s commissioner, Nicola Killean, has questioned the effectiveness of a ban, saying it would do “little to address underlying issues such as exploitative algorithms”. In her submission to the UK Government’s consultation, she said evidence on bans was “limited, mixed and still emerging”, adding: “Blanket restrictions can risk shifting responsibility away from platforms and on to children.”
