MPs to debate social media ban for under-16s after support for petition

MPs will discuss a ban on social media for children under the age of 16 on Monday afternoon after more than 128,000 people signed a petition calling for the ban.

The petition says social media companies shouldn’t let those under 16 create social media accounts as they are “having more of a negative impact to children than a positive one.”

It argues that a ban would help stop online bullying, stop children being influenced by false posts and stop children seeing content that encourages violence, or could be harmful for their future.

The discussion comes after Australia’s government voted to ban social media for under 16s last November, although the legislation may not take effect until later this year. That ban could see tech companies fined millions if they don’t comply.

The debate on children’s use of social media and smartphones has gained momentum in recent years.

The campaign group “Smartphone Free Childhood”, created last year, now has a community of more than 150,000 parents working together to change the culture around kids and smartphones.

The group says “the issue has become one of the defining parenting challenges of our time.”

Kate Edwards from the NSPCC recently told an ITV Tonight investigation into smartphone use that the current “internet age” of 13 doesn’t keep children safe.

“The age limit for most social media accounts is 13, and this is actually rooted in data laws rather than any considerations around safety,” she said.

“Many safety considerations have just been built on that age, rather than actually taking into account the age and stage development of children, and when might be appropriate for them to engage with these services.”

The protection of children is one of the key aims of the Online Safety Act 2023. Under the act, social media companies must protect children in a number of ways including by removing illegal content quickly or preventing it from appearing in the first place.

It must also prevent children from accessing harmful content, and use age-checking measures so that children cannot access pornographic material and other age-inappropriate content. The regulator, Ofcom, is implementing the act in phases and the new legislation is yet to be tested.

The debate in Westminster Hall will be led by Labour MP Tony Vaughan, who is a member of the Petitions Committee, and MPs from all parties can take part. The government will send a minister to respond.

In a response to the petition last December, the government said it was not “currently minded to support a ban for children under 16”.

The statement went on to say: “Children face a significant risk of harm online and we understand that families are concerned about their children experiencing online bullying, encountering content that encourages violence, or other content which may be harmful. We will continue to do what is needed to keep children safe online.

“However, this is a complicated issue. We live in a digital age and must strike the right balance so that children can access the benefits of being online and using smartphones while we continue to put their safety first.”