Rishi Sunak Considers Social Media Ban For Under-16s In UK: Report

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is reportedly considering a crackdown on social media access for children under the age of 16, with potential bans as one of the measures under discussion, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The government is said to be planning a consultation, expected to commence as early as January, to gather evidence on the potential harm to children associated with social media use.

While the discussions are in the early stages, and the policy may not ultimately be pursued, sources suggest that bans on social media access for children are being considered. However, it’s noted that such bans are unlikely to be included in the final plan. Other measures, including improved parental controls, have not been ruled out.

Camilla Marshall, Sunak’s spokeswoman, addressed the issue in a regular briefing, stating, “We are looking broadly at this issue of keeping children safe online.” However, she refrained from commenting on specific measures under consideration.

The move comes on the heels of the UK recently passing the Online Safety Act, which aims to increase the responsibility of companies providing user-to-user services to protect individuals, especially children, on the internet. This legislation includes age verification obligations.

Concerns about child safety on social media platforms have been heightened, with the National Crime Agency issuing warnings to British parents about allowing their children on Facebook. This caution follows Meta Platform Inc.’s decision to introduce encrypted messaging, raising concerns about the potential impact on child safety.

Damian Hinds, the schools minister, has urged Meta to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that it’s not just about privacy but also about the ability to intercept and investigate individuals engaged in child abuse.

Prime Minister Sunak is set to attend Giorgia Meloni’s political party convention in Rome, where Elon Musk is also expected. While Sunak and Musk recently shared a stage at the UK’s AI safety summit, there are currently no formal plans for the prime minister to meet with Musk during the upcoming convention.

It’s important to note that these deliberations are in the early stages, and the final policy may take a different form based on the evidence gathered during the consultation period.