Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 15 Jun
UK PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has announced that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing social media.
The move has been billed as a child protection measure.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have both welcomed the move and said the government is considering doing the same, but would hope to move at European Union level.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Starmer said that it is hoped the regulation will pass by Christmas and come into effect early next year.
“This is very significant for our country,” Starmer said. “It is about protecting children, and I’m absolutely clear that a ban is the right outcome.”
He continued: “We’ve got a definition of social media, which is taken from the Australian model, so that means that there are certain features or services that are expected to be within the band, and some that won’t.
”Therefore there are things like, for example, YouTube Kids, Lego Play, Classroom, Google even – they’re obviously the other side of the line. They don’t have the features that are concerned here, but the ban is absolutely clear for the services that come within the definition of social media.”
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, Micheál Martin said the government are looking at a similar ban in a European Union context.
“I believe some proposals will emanate from the Commission in respect of social media, protecting young people and potentially moving in the direction that the UK has,” he said.
“There is a growing groundswell of national governments coming to the view that we do have to do more to protect young people, the precise mechanisms of a ban need to be worked out. People are observing the Australian decision and how that is working.
“It’s like any area where harm is being done, we have taken measures: tobacco, alcohol; we have taken measures to protect people, we do that across the board, social media is the public health issue of our time, and governments have to act.”
He added: “It would be very preferable if, at European Union level, we could arrive at a decision in terms of banning social media for children, and the precise mechanisms around that.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris hailed Starmer for “showing real leadership” in terms of social media and described the move as positive, adding that he hopes the EU act.
“I think the social experimentation with the minds of our young people is real, it’s worrying, I think it’s potentially the mental health and wellbeing challenge of our time.
“It’s always been the preference of this government that we would act on a European level. I hope that this is an issue that Europe can arrive at a consensus view on because I know a lot of governments across the European Union are concerned.
“So the most impactful thing we could see would be the EU moving quickly and together on this, but if it doesn’t Ireland has the right of its own domestic legislation.”
In February, the government proposed restrictions on social media for children under the age of 16.
The ‘Digital & AI Strategy’ commits to working with EU Member States to “explore options” to introduce age restrictions on the use of social media, particularly for those under the age of 16.
The UK’s ban will go further than Australia’s by including romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and children could also be blocked from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms.
The public consultation on the issue, which closed on 26 May, received about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history.
Over 83% of parents who responded said social media risks outweigh the benefits for children – with 91% backing a minimum age of 16 before platforms can offer their services to children.
Almost two thirds (62%) of children who responded said restricting the high-risk features would make them safer online.
But 72% also said they were worried about feeling left out if restrictions came in.
Questioned whether children will simply try to find a way around the ban, as some have in Australia, the prime minister said this is likely, but he is confident the UK can enforce it adequately.
“The enforcement will be on the platform providers, not on the children. I think it’s really important that we make that clear. We’re not going to start taking action against 13 and 14 and 15-year-olds who are trying, as they always will, to get around rules that adults put in their path.
“This is absolutely aimed at those who are providing the platforms,” Starmer said.
Additional reporting by PA
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say