Sir Keir Starmer is considering an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s.
Australia’s world-first law aims to protect young people from the dangers of the internet and applies to platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.
Sir Keir has previously said he was “personally” opposed to a blanket ban on teenagers introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this month.
However, The Daily Telegraph understands that Downing Street is actually “paying close attention” to the policy.
The Telegraph understands Sir Keir and Technology Minister Liz Kendall are discussing introducing similar legislation if Australia’s scheme proves effective. However, sources told The Telegraph that a decision is still a long way off.
A government spokesman told The Telegraph: “We understand parents’ concerns about the impact of social media on children, which is why we have taken some of the boldest steps globally to ensure online content is truly age-appropriate.
“It is important that we protect children while allowing them to safely benefit from the digital world without cutting off essential services or isolating the most vulnerable.
“The government is closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions. Nothing is impossible when it comes to child safety, but any action must be based on strong evidence.”
Streeting wants ‘radical’ action
Asked about Mr Albanese’s policy days after it was launched, Sir Keir said he was “personally” opposed to a “total ban” on social media for under-16s.
“I think it’s more about how to control what children can see,” the prime minister said.
But on Sunday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting called on the government to “think more radically” about online safety as social media “has always been a place of bullying, intimidation, sometimes misogyny and even radicalization”.
He told the Observer: “I think about it when I was a teenager and how difficult it would have been to secretly watch a movie in a cinema for a 15-year-old or an 18-year-old. Kids now have access to the most extreme content.”
Streeting went on to warn that social media had increasingly become “anti-social media”, adding: “That’s why I think what Australia is doing is interesting and we should keep an eye on the results to see if we should consider doing it here.”
Sources acknowledged there were conflicting views among experts, with some charities warning against social media bans as it could drive children to unregulated sites.
These include the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up after the death of teenager Molly Russell, who viewed thousands of images on social media promoting suicide and self-harm.
One source said the government wanted a “mature” approach and welcomed the ongoing debate, adding that Australia would help act as a test case.
Ms Kendall, who succeeded Peter Kyle as technology minister in a September reshuffle, has always said she would take an evidence-based approach.
Appearing before a House of Commons select committee earlier this month, she expressed her opposition to an outright ban on mobile phones for under-16s.
Ms Kendall said there was a “very important balance” to be struck between helping children cope with the online world “while ensuring they are not exposed to harmful content”.
She continued: “I am currently not in favor of banning smartphones before the age of 16. It is a good thing they are not in school and we need to do more to help children cope with this.
“I’m worried about chatbots, and I’m worried about sleep. If you say, ‘Do nothing until you’re 16,’ then how are they going to respond? That’s what I think about.”
Labor MP Fred Thomas, who has campaigned for a ban on social media for under-16s since entering the House of Commons last year, said: “I have been urging the government for some time to ban social media companies from providing accounts to under-16s.
“We all know it’s very harmful to their development. Every time I speak to teachers, parents and children they are unanimous. Just look at the alarming rise in anxiety and mental health problems in children. We should continue to take action, as Australia’s Labor government has done.”
