Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has confirmed that the Labour government will move forward with plans for a social media ban for under-16s and potential VPN restrictions, despite the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In an interview with the BBC, Nandy stated that the question of whether to implement the ban has already been answered, following widespread parental support and evidence from Australia.
Social Media Ban for Under-16s Proceeds
Nandy emphasized that the ban is driven by public demand. "Lots and lots of parents across the country have told us that they really want us to do this. They think it's better for children," she said. The government has reviewed evidence over the past few years, including Australia's social media ban, and concluded that the measure is essential to keep children safe, happy, and healthy.
Sir Keir Starmer stepped down as Prime Minister on Monday, with Andy Burnham, the new MP for Makerfield, widely expected to replace him. Nandy acknowledged that a new prime minister "will want to come in and have a look at how that works," but she believes the decision on the ban is settled.
VPN Restrictions and Age Verification
On VPN restrictions, Nandy noted that there are various methods to check the age of social media users, but "none of them are foolproof." She acknowledged that some children will find ways to circumvent the rules, but the government aims to remove the "pressure to be on social media." Drawing from Australia's experience, Nandy said that even if enforcement is not perfect, the ban changes the presumption, meaning children are no longer automatically on platforms and face less peer pressure to join at a young age.
Nandy added that the UK will be "tougher than Australia in the way that we check age." She stated, "In Australia, the vast majority of children were not on social media, so we know we can do that already because we're going to introduce tougher measures to check age than they had there."
Impact and Next Steps
The proposed ban and VPN restrictions are part of a broader push to enhance online safety for minors. The government plans to introduce legislation that will require social media platforms to verify users' ages and restrict access for those under 16. VPNs could be targeted to prevent circumvention of the ban. The exact timeline for implementation remains unclear, but Nandy's comments signal that the policy will continue under the new leadership.
