More than 60 Labour MPs have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to implement an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s. The letter, authored by Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas and signed by 61 backbench MPs, calls for technology companies to bear responsibility for blocking underage access to platforms the MPs describe as harmful and addictive.
The push comes as Australia implemented such a ban last month and other countries including Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand, and Greece are expected to follow. The MPs warn that Britain risks being left behind without action. Most of the signatories are from the 2024 intake.
Conflicting Views on Child Safety
The call for a ban has sparked fierce debate. Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly died in 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media, opposes a blanket prohibition. Russell chairs the suicide prevention charity Molly Rose Foundation and argues that a ban could drive vulnerable youngsters to darker, unregulated online spaces.
More than 40 charities, campaigners, and doctors have spoken out against the measure. They warn that restrictions could push children to suicide forums or unregulated gaming platforms and deprive lonely teenagers of vital peer support. The NSPCC and other organizations argue that blanket bans would fail to deliver improvements in children's safety and wellbeing.
Evidence and Mental Health Concerns
The letter's supporters cite concerning data on youth mental health. Over 500 children a day are referred for anxiety treatment in England. Research shows that zero to five hours of daily social media access doubles depression rates in boys and trebles them in girls. The average 12-year-old spends 29 hours a week on a smartphone.
A 2022 inquest into Molly Russell's death found that social media content had contributed more than minimally to her death. Ofcom has launched an investigation under the Online Safety Act into platforms including Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok.
Political Positions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Health Secretary Wes Streeting support banning under-16s from social media. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has aligned with this stance. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged strong arguments for a ban while expressing concerns about pushing children to less regulated spaces.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage believes the UK should delay action until Australian measures can be reviewed.
Parliamentary Action
Members of the House of Lords are expected to vote this week on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would implement a ban. The amendment is jointly sponsored by former Tory education minister Lord Nash, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Benjamin, Labour peer Baroness Berger, and independent paediatrician Baroness Cass.
Last week, the Prime Minister said all options remain on the table regarding social media regulation for young people.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
