Yesterday ministers launched a consultation on whether to ban under-16s from social media, as part of wider action on children’s use of mobile phones. That’s a welcome and overdue step.
Young people need protecting from the very real harms that social media can cause. Tech companies have had years to get their house in order and the truth is that while the Online Safety Act is a step in the right direction, it still doesn’t go far enough.
We’ve seen that again in recent weeks with the latest issues around Grok, underlining just how quickly things can go wrong when technology races ahead of regulation.
Many Labour MPs support the Australian-led approach to banning social media for under-16s. The government should give it serious consideration and be prepared to act.
Children’s safety online must come before the interests of big tech.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 