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Social Media Ban for Children ‘No Silver Bullet’, Minister Says
Liz Kendall said the measure is not a complete fix as ministers plan age checks and other limits to curb harmful content and protect children.
- On Monday, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced plans to ban social media for children under 16, with a parliamentary vote expected by year-end and implementation targeted for early 2027.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced accusations of a policy U-turn, but officials emphasized bereaved families' urgent calls warning that every week of inaction risks children's safety and serious harm.
- The government plans to enforce the ban using "highly effective age assurance" measures like facial scanning or ID verification, covering TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X while excluding messaging services like WhatsApp.
- Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized the law as "a wolf in sheep's clothing" meant to track citizens, while firms warned the ban could push teens toward "anonymous, less safe services" lacking protections.
- Ministers will provide updates in July on potential overnight curfews and limits on "addictive" features; Kendall acknowledged the ban is not a "silver bullet" but insisted it will drive "significant change in behaviour.
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Evening Standard+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Social media ban for children ‘no silver bullet’, minister says
Technology firms have hit back over the plan to ban under-16s from social media.
·London, United Kingdom
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Minister admits under-16s social media ban not a ‘silver bullet’ as Musk hits out at ‘censorship’
Stay on top of the latest political news with our View from Westminster newsletter Get the latest political headlines with our free email Get the latest political headlines with our free email The social media ban for under-16s is not a “silver bullet”, the technology secretary acknowledged as she faced a backlash from Big Tech firms which will be hit by the restriction. The minister responsible, Liz Kendall, accepted that many children will suc…
·Somerset, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
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