Majority of Parents Support Social Media Ban for Children, Says UK Technology Secretary
Nine in 10 parents back social media ban for children, says Technology Secretary

Image: The Independent
A significant majority of parents in the UK favor a ban on social media for children under 16, according to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. Over 80,000 people participated in a consultation, with proposals including an Australian-style ban and app curfews. However, concerns about the effectiveness of such measures have been raised.
- 01Technology Secretary Liz Kendall reported that nine in ten parents support restrictions on children's social media use.
- 02The government is considering a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, inspired by Australia's regulations.
- 03More than 80,000 individuals participated in the consultation regarding social media restrictions for minors.
- 04Sir Keir Starmer has promised swift action on this issue, following discussions with parents affected by social media-related tragedies.
- 05Scotland's children's commissioner, Nicola Killean, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a blanket ban, citing concerns over underlying issues.
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The UK government is contemplating a ban on social media for children under 16, as revealed by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who noted that nine out of ten parents support such restrictions. This follows a consultation that attracted over 80,000 responses, with many parents expressing concerns about the impact of social media on their children. Proposed measures include an Australian-style ban that would prevent children under 16 from having social media accounts, as well as app curfews and limitations on addictive features. Kendall emphasized the strong parental demand for assistance in navigating the benefits and risks of social media. In a related development, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer committed to taking action within weeks after meeting with parents whose children faced serious issues linked to social media. However, Nicola Killean, Scotland's children’s commissioner, raised doubts about the effectiveness of a ban, suggesting it might not address deeper problems such as exploitative algorithms and could shift responsibility from platforms to children. The debate continues as the government weighs its options.
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The proposed ban could significantly alter how children interact with social media, affecting their access and usage patterns.
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