Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled a significant policy shift, telling Labour MPs he is now open to implementing an Australian-style ban on social media access for children under the age of 16.
A Change of Heart on Youth Screen Time
Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening, Starmer revealed his growing concern over the amount of time young people spend on their devices. He said he had been alarmed by reports of five-year-olds spending hours each day in front of screens and was increasingly worried about the damage social media platforms can inflict on teenagers.
This marks a notable change in position for the Prime Minister. Previously, he had opposed outright bans, arguing they would be difficult to enforce and risked pushing teenagers towards more dangerous corners of the internet, like the dark web.
"We are looking at Australia, there are different ways you can enforce it," Starmer told colleagues. He also addressed phone use in schools, stating unequivocally: "No one thinks you should have phones in schools."
Cross-Party Momentum Builds for a Ban
The Prime Minister's new openness follows a surge in political support for stricter measures across Westminster. The Australian government's decision to implement its own ban has catalysed the debate in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated over the weekend that her party would seek to stop under-16s from accessing "addictive" social media. Labour's Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, called for a "cross-party consensus around much bolder action".
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey have also expressed willingness to explore the Australian model, with Davey telling a press conference: "We need to study what's happened in Australia, this is absolutely the direction of travel."
Within the government, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is said to be open to the idea, with a final decision expected within months. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the drivers behind the Australian move, citing concerns over cyberbullying, body image issues, mental health, grooming, and radicalisation.
From Opposition to Openness
This shift represents a notable evolution from the government's stance last year, when ministers opposed measures in a private member's bill by Labour MP Josh MacAlister. That bill would have compelled social media firms to exclude young teens from addictive algorithms and committed the government to reviewing phone sales to minors.
One minister present at the PLP meeting noted the change, saying: "It was definitely a change in tone and I think a lot of colleagues will have welcomed it. Keir gave the impression that all options are on the table."
As the government examines the Australian experiment, the prospect of a major legislative intervention to protect children online in the UK appears to be moving from the fringes to the centre of the political agenda.
