Downing Street today dismissed calls from Donald Trump's administration for Britain to avoid a social media ban for under-16s.The White House has criticised plans for Australian-style restrictions to be introduced in the UK, warning they could impose a 'disproportionate' burden on US tech firms.In a submission to the UK Government's consultation on online safety, Mr Trump's administration criticised 'broad bans or blunt regulatory instruments'.The US intervention comes as Keir Starmer considers whether to copy Australia in introducing a blanket ban on social media for under-16s in Britain.There is an expectation the Prime Minister will announce such a ban in the coming days, amid pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties for tough action.It has been suggested Sir Keir will take the step before the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, which could see his potential challenger Andy Burnham return to Parliament.Downing Street on Tuesday signalled Sir Keir would not be swayed by the US intervention, saying the PM would 'always act in the UK's national interest'Asked about the US response to the consultation, Sir Keir's official spokesman said: 'He has been very clear that he will always act in the UK's national interest and protecting young people is no different.'The Prime Minister is focused on what's right for families here and now, and into the future.' There is an expectation that Keir Starmer will announce a social media ban for under-16s in the coming days, amid pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties for tough actionDonald Trump's administration criticised plans for Australian-style restrictions to be introduced in the UK, warning they could impose a 'disproportionate' burden on US tech firmsEarlier, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would not be 'swayed in any way, shape or form from doing what I believe is right for children in this country'.She told Sky News she would read the US's response 'carefully' but was 'much more bothered about the parents who have replied to the consultation'.The Government's consultation, which closed last month, received around 120,000 responses, making it the second-largest government consultation in history after a consultation on equal marriage in 2012.Sir Keir told his Cabinet on Tuesday morning that the response 'showed the strength of feeling about the issue' and said there was 'no question' the Government would act.Ms Kendall has said an Australian-style ban on under-16s using social media is 'on the table', along with other options such as curfews or limits on addictive features.Ministers appear to be leaning towards a ban, with 90 per cent of parents who responded to the consultation saying they would back one. In its own response to the consultation, the US embassy in London said the country preferred 'narrowly targeted requirements' for adult content 'rather than broad social media bans'.While the US said it did not 'categorically oppose age assurance measures', it said: 'Most content should remain accessible by default, including political speech.'We believe an open internet is essential to the preservation of free speech and most content should be accessible by default unless the provider knows or has reason to know the user is a child.'It added that it was concerned that technology was not good enough to determine whether someone was under 16, and that the move could 'impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies'.Tory leader Kemi Badenoch reiterated her support for a comprehensive social media ban for under-16s, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Social media is for adults, it's not for children. These platforms are designed to be addictive.'Asked about Sir Keir's announcement on Monday that tech firms have been given a three-month ultimatum to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images on their smartphones, Mrs Badenoch added: 'I think it would be easier just to keep children off social media.'I think we do need to protect them. There are children who have ended up committing suicide because the sharing of nude images escalated out of control.'But I don't know if it's technically possible. I think it's a much more complicated thing than just getting the children off social media.'She continued: 'I think the intention is the right one, we've got to stop children sharing nude images.'I think the way they're going about it is not the right way. The fastest, the easiest way is to get children off social media.'Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson, the party's education spokesperson, said: 'If Donald Trump policed his own social media half as much as he meddles in British democracy, the internet would be a much safer place.'Starmer must guarantee that he will not be bullied into watering down protections for children online.'