A leading child safety charity has warned that a rushed ban on social media for under-16s in the UK could 'unravel', leaving families to bear the consequences. The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), founded by the family of Molly Russell, said an age limit on tech platforms would fail to make children safer as they could circumvent age checks and move to less regulated areas like gaming.
The warning comes amid reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a ban on under-16s accessing 'harmful' social media apps. However, it remains unclear which apps would be included. A similar blanket ban in Australia covers platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the MRF, stated that a 'rushed' ban is not supported by evidence and would 'quickly unravel'. He said: 'Parents have been clear they want decisive action that will actually work. If Keir Starmer prioritises short-term announcements over what the evidence and experts say is needed, children and parents will be left to count the cost and child protection will take a step back.'
The government is reportedly planning to announce the ban before the Makerfield byelection on 18 June. A consultation on children's online safety, including a potential ban for under-16s, closed only last week. The government has pledged to act quickly on its findings.
The MRF has proposed an alternative approach: setting strict safety standards for social media apps, such as curbing personalised algorithms, and banning only those apps that fail to meet the requirements. Crossbench peer Beeban Kidron criticised the government's reported proposal as a 'non-ban ban', accusing ministers of being soft on tech companies.
A government spokesperson said: 'We've been clear we are determined to act quickly, but we will do so in a way that is effective, enforceable and genuinely keeps children safe.'
