A UK minister had denied that the social media ban for under-16s was rushed out by Keir Starmer in an attempt to save his premiership.
The Prime Minister is facing the prospect of leadership rival Andy Burnham returning to Parliament in the Makerfield by-election – and is facing accusation this policy U-turn, announced on Monday, was brought in as a result.
Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, Technology Minister Liz Kendall acknowledged that Starmer’s views on a ban for children had shifted during the consultation process on the policy.
“I think he has been on a journey on this, and I think that he was really persuaded by some of the families he spoke to,” she said.
When asked if the policy had been rushed out as Starmer faced the prospect of a leadership contest, she said: “I don’t accept that at all.”
Kendall added: “The reason we’ve done this as quickly as we can was – although I thought having the consultation was the right thing to do because there are different views – I was really struck by the calls from bereaved families, who said every week you don’t act, another children dies or is at risk of dying or is at risk of serious harm.”
Kendall, meanwhile, accepted that many children will succeed in getting around the ban but insisted the restriction would lead to a “significant change in behaviour”.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, said the ban was indefensible and amounted to censorship.
Other social media firms cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Australian-style measures the UK Government hopes to introduce by spring next year.
Kendall also told the BBC: “I’ve never thought that the ban will be a complete silver bullet.
“I think it is about providing clarity for parents and children, it will be as much about resetting expectations and social norms for children who are seven, eight, nine, 10, now that they won’t be going on social media until they’re 16.”
She insisted that the UK’s use of “highly effective age-verification measures” would make the ban stronger than the Australian system.
But she added: “I have no doubt children who are currently on social media, for whom it’s an integral part of their lives, will try and get around the ban, and many will succeed.
“But we do think we need to draw this line in the sand, give greater clarity to parents and greater protections for children.”
The ban is expected to cover platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X but not messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.
There will also be measures to prevent children from chatting with adults on gaming and livestreaming platforms.
The UK Government is also looking at potential overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s, with more details expected next month.
