More than 100k people urge MPs to ban social media for under-16s in UK
4 months ago
- #child protection
- #UK politics
- #social media
- Over 100,000 people have contacted MPs via Smartphone Free Childhood's campaign advocating for social media bans for under-16s.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted at considering a ban, citing the need to protect children from social media risks.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting compared unrestricted phone use by children to leaving them unattended with dangerous tools.
- Smartphone Free Childhood reports widespread support from families demanding protections from profit-driven social media platforms.
- Australia's recent under-16 social media ban led to the removal of 4.7 million accounts, influencing UK discussions.
- The UK House of Lords will soon vote on an amendment to restrict under-16s' social media access, potentially leading to a Commons vote.
- Teaching union NASUWT supports a ban, while the Molly Rose Foundation opposes it, calling it a misplaced penalty on children.
- The UK government emphasizes balancing child protection with digital benefits under the Online Safety Act, keeping all options under review.