Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’

Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to announce a ban on social media for under-16s within the next 10 days as the children’s tsar called for an extension to cover teenagers up to 18 years old.

The prime minister is said to be preparing to unveil plans to restrict children’s online activity to protect them from harmful content, following a nationwide consultation that closed last month.

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has already thrown his weight behind the proposal, saying tech firms must prove their services are safe for children or face a ban on being available to under-16s.

Ministers have been mulling evidence from Australia, which imposed a blanket ban in December. The Sun on Sunday reported the UK clampdown will exclude a number of apps.

Asked about the reports on Monday, skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the government is considering evidence from its consultation and will bring forward proposals before summer recess.

But the minister did not confirm a full ban would be implemented, and told Sky News: “This isn’t as clear cut as some people like to think it is, which is exactly why the government has taken the approach it’s taken.”

“We need to pick here is what is going to be most effective for protecting young people from the bad sides of social media, which I think all of us accept are there.

“That might mean going further than, for example, the social media ban in Australia went on certain functionalities. It might mean saying that there are certain things which should definitely be banned. There’s consideration about what age any ban would happen at.”

It comes as the children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza proposed any ban should cover 16- and 17-year-olds, who she said should not have “lesser protection”.

“We need action to address technology companies’ unfettered access to children, often through features designed in ways that increase harm,” Dame Rachel told The Telegraph.

Sir Keir is to announce the plans in a speech ahead of the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, when Labour leadership rival Andy Burnham will learn whether his path has been cleared to return to Westminster and challenge the prime minister. Downing Street declined to comment.