Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has unveiled a major new policy proposal aimed at protecting children online, pledging to ban social media access for all under-16s if her party is elected.
A Conservative Crackdown on 'Addictive' Platforms
In an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Badenoch set out a plan inspired by recent legislation in Australia. The policy would prevent teenagers under the age of 16 from creating accounts on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Twitch.
Badenoch expressed strong concerns about the impact of these platforms on young people's mental wellbeing. "What we are seeing is a lot of children spending so many hours a day on platforms that are profiting from their anxiety, from their distraction, and they are actually designed to be addictive," she told the BBC.
While stating she disliked the word 'ban', the Conservative leader argued for a common-sense age limit of 16, emphasising the need for "protection for children and freedom for adults." The party's approach would involve requiring social media companies to implement robust age verification tools to enforce the restriction.
Smartphones to be Banned from Schools
In a related move, the Conservatives also pledged to ban smartphones in schools across England. This dual-pronged strategy aims to tackle both online access and physical distractions in the classroom, addressing growing anxiety among parents and teachers.
The announcement adds to significant political pressure on the current government to act. Labour's Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has recently indicated he would like stronger measures to protect children online. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall have previously voiced personal opposition to an outright ban. The government is said to be monitoring Australia's implementation closely while considering its policy options.
Growing Support for Stricter Regulations
The Conservative proposal aligns with calls from leading teaching unions. On the same Sunday, the NASUWT, one of the UK's largest education unions, urged the government to legislate for a social media ban for under-16s, citing serious concerns over pupil mental health and concentration levels.
The union advocates for stricter laws that would penalise big technology firms for allowing children onto their platforms. The Conservatives have stated that the precise scope of their proposed ban would be kept under review, signalling a willingness to adapt the policy as needed.
Badenoch framed the policy as a necessary intervention in the "wild west" of the internet, particularly social media. "We want to give parents some understanding that the government understands what they're going through," she said, committing to work with the industry to establish effective solutions.
