Kemi Badenoch says Tories would ban under-16s from ‘addictive’ social media

Conservative leader backs Australian-inspired policy to stop platforms ‘profiting from their anxiety’

The Conservatives are backing a ban on social media for under-16s in an attempt to prevent addictive platforms fuelling anxiety and distraction among teenagers.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said she did not like the word ban but she wanted to see an age limit of 16 in the same way that Australia has introduced restrictions on social media for children.

Her new policy will add to growing pressure on the government to act, with Wes Streeting, the health secretary, having recently suggested he would like to see more action to protect children online.

The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has previously said he was personally against such a move and Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, has also stated her opposition but the government is closely monitoring the reaction to Australia’s ban and considering its policy options. In Australia, under-16s are now prevented from setting up accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch.

Kemi Badenoch says Tories would ban under-16s from ‘addictive’ social media

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