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Rushed social media ban for under-16s in UK could ‘unravel’, charity warns
TL;DR
A proposed social media ban for under-16s in the UK may fail, according to the Molly Rose Foundation. The charity warns that children could bypass age checks and migrate to less regulated platforms.
Key points
- UK plans a social media ban for under-16s
- Molly Rose Foundation warns the ban could unravel
- Children may bypass age checks and use less regulated platforms
- Keir Starmer expected to announce the ban
- Similar bans in Australia cover major social media apps
Mentioned in this story
Keir StarmerMolly Rose Foundation
A rushed under-16s social media ban in the UK could unravel and families will be left to count the cost, a leading child safety charity has warned.
The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) said an age limit on the use of tech platforms could unravel, after a report that the prime minister, Keir Starmer, is to announce a ban on under-16s accessing “harmful” social media apps.
It is not known which apps would fit into that category, but a blanket ban in Australia covers the leading industry names including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and Snapchat.
MRF, founded by the family of Molly Russell, a British teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful online content on Instagram and Pinterest, said a ban would fail to keep children safer because they would circumvent age checks and could move to less regulated areas such as gaming.
Andy Burrows, the MRF chief executive, said a “rushed” ban would “quickly unravel” and was not supported by the evidence.
“Parents have been clear they want decisive action that will actually work,” he said. “If Keir Starmer prioritises short-term announcements over what the evidence and experts say is needed, children and parents will be left to count the cost and child protection will take a step back.”
The Times reported on Sunday that the government was planning to announce a ban before the Makerfield byelection on 18 June. The mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is contesting the seat for Labour, has said he will challenge Starmer for the party leadership if he wins.
A consultation on children’s online safety, including whether there should be an under-16s ban, closed only last week, but the government is keen to act on its findings as quickly as possible.
If the government pushes ahead with a selective ban, it would be different from the under-16s block in Australia where age limitations are imposed if a service enables social interaction between two or more users, and if it allows users to post material. A range of apps have been swept up in that definition.
Q&A
What is the proposed social media ban for under-16s in the UK?
The UK government plans to announce a ban on under-16s accessing certain 'harmful' social media apps.
Which social media apps might be affected by the ban in the UK?
While specific apps have not been named, similar bans in other countries cover platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Why does the Molly Rose Foundation oppose the social media ban?
The foundation argues that the ban could unravel quickly and fail to protect children, as they might circumvent age checks and turn to less regulated platforms.
Who is Keir Starmer and what is his role in the social media ban?
Keir Starmer is the UK Prime Minister who is expected to announce the proposed ban on under-16s accessing certain social media apps.
