Australia will implement a ban on social media for children under 16 from Wednesday, a move that has triggered mixed reactions in the UK. The ban prohibits under-16s from holding social media accounts, but some campaigners warn it could drive bad actors to target children on gaming or messaging platforms.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, criticised the ban as "flawed", arguing that it would not eliminate harm but instead push threats to other online spaces. He called for stronger regulation focusing on product safety and design, rather than an overarching ban with unintended consequences.
However, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, backed the ban, saying teachers witness daily the damage caused by Big Tech. He urged the UK Government to follow Australia's lead to "give children back their childhood".
Richard Waterworth, former TikTok UK general manager, warned of enforcement challenges, noting children may lie about their age and lose access to safety tools. He described the approach as "magical thinking".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed there are no current plans for a similar ban in the UK, emphasising the need to protect children while allowing safe digital access. Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, also opposed a ban, advocating instead for making platforms safer through robust age assurance measures.
