Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to accelerate social media regulations, promising action in "months, not years," while emphasising that a complete ban on access for under-16s is not a certainty. Speaking at a community centre in Putney, London, Starmer highlighted the complexity of the issue, noting input from organisations like the NSPCC and young people themselves.
Nuanced Approach to Social Media Access
Starmer explained that the government is considering a ban as a possibility but will base decisions on evidence from a three-month consultation. "I think this is such an important issue that we need to go into it with a ban as a possibility," he stated, adding that he would "definitely want to look at the evidence" gathered.
He acknowledged strong arguments on both sides: some advocate for removing all under-16s from social media, while charities warn this could push children to darker online spaces. During his visit, Starmer met with 15- and 16-year-olds who expressed concerns about losing access to news, as they rely on social media platforms for information.
Legislative Fast-Tracking Plans
Downing Street has announced plans to rush through any recommended changes by tabling amendments to two existing bills: the children's wellbeing and schools bill, and the crime and policing bill. These amendments would grant ministers powers to implement various measures, with the children's bill addressing social media and the crime bill targeting loopholes related to AI chatbots.
Starmer asserted that this approach enables rapid action: "We've taken the powers to make sure we can act within months, not years." He also stressed the urgency of addressing addictive features like auto-scrolling, which keep children glued to devices.
Parental Concerns and Policy Details
Expressing widespread worry among parents, Starmer declared, "I don't think there's a parent in the country who isn't worried about this." He criticised the current status quo as inadequate for protecting children and pledged decisive action.
When asked about parliamentary oversight, Starmer's spokesperson confirmed that both the House of Commons and House of Lords would have the opportunity to debate and vote on specific policies through secondary legislation. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is expected to provide further details.
Starmer's Broader Critique of Social Media
In a Substack post, Starmer elaborated on his concerns, arguing that social media has evolved from simple platforms to complex systems that harm children. He contrasted early social media with modern algorithms and endless scrolling, blaming previous Tory governments for inaction.
He wrote, "In that evolution, it has become something that is quietly harming our children. A harm that, due to the inaction of previous Tory governments, we are allowing to happen." This stance underscores his commitment to reforming social media access and safety measures swiftly.
