Keir Starmer is set to make an announcement this morning regarding the implementation of a ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16, as part of a significant set of online safety measures aimed at safeguarding young people.
The Prime Minister is committed to challenging the tech giants and ending a system that is failing children. Starmer emphasized the government’s dedication to prioritizing parents and children’s well-being, acknowledging the public’s expectation of action.
The unveiling of the plans will take place during a press conference at Downing Street shortly after 8 am. While specific social media platforms facing the ban have not been confirmed, it is anticipated that the UK will follow Australia’s lead in restricting access to major platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat.
The proposed measures in the UK are anticipated to surpass those in Australia, extending restrictions to AI chatbots, gaming platforms, and imposing limitations on social media use for 16- and 17-year-olds in order to discourage late-night browsing.
The Prime Minister framed the debate over the social media ban as a crucial decision regarding whose interests are being supported, highlighting the need to prioritize families and address the current ineffective system.
The consultation on social media safety, which closed on May 26, received a substantial response, with approximately 116,000 submissions, making it one of the largest consultations in history.
The majority of parents who participated expressed concerns about social media’s risks outweighing its benefits for children, with a significant percentage supporting a minimum age requirement of 16 for platform access. Additionally, a considerable number of children agreed that restricting high-risk features would enhance their online safety, although some expressed concerns about potential feelings of exclusion due to the proposed restrictions.
Despite the government citing massive support for the under-16s ban from the consultation, some social media safety advocates, such as the Molly Rose Foundation, have criticized the proposed ban as impractical and unlikely to be effectively enforced.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to hold a press conference at Downing Street later this morning to introduce a groundbreaking set of social media reforms, including the under 16s ban, following the precedent set by Australia’s ban in December.
These highly debated measures follow a three-month consultation on online safety, receiving feedback from parents, industry stakeholders, and young individuals, with a strong demand for age limits similar to those in Australia. The consultation also revealed mixed sentiments among young people regarding the potential impact of restricting certain features on online safety.
