UK charity warns rushed under-16 social media ban could unravel
14 reported3 unconfirmed
The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), a child safety charity, has warned that a rushed under-16s social media ban in the UK could unravel and leave families to count the cost. The warning follows reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would announce a ban on under-16s accessing “harmful” social media apps, though which apps would be included is not yet known. MRF, founded by the family of Molly Russell, said a ban would fail to keep children safer because they would circumvent age checks and could move to less regulated areas such as gaming. Andy Burrows, the MRF chief executive, stated that a “rushed” ban would “quickly unravel” and was not supported by the evidence. The Times reported that the government was planning to announce the ban before the Makerfield byelection on 18 June. A consultation on children’s online safety, including whether there should be a ban for under-16s, closed only last week, but the government is keen to act on its findings quickly. The MRF has said the government should instead set strict safety standards for social media apps, such as curbing personalised algorithms, and ban apps only after they fail to meet those requirements.
What’s reported
The Molly Rose Foundation warned a rushed under-16s social media ban could unravel.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reported to be planning to announce a ban on under-16s accessing “harmful” social media apps.
Which apps would be considered “harmful” is not yet known.
A blanket ban in Australia covers Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat among others.
MRF said a ban would fail because children would circumvent age checks and move to less regulated areas like gaming.
Andy Burrows, MRF chief executive, said the ban was not supported by the evidence.
The Times reported the government planned to announce the ban before the Makerfield byelection on 18 June.
A consultation on children’s online safety closed last week.
The UK government is also consulting on age restrictions for app features like infinite scrolling and limitations on AI chatbots.
MRF recommends setting strict safety standards for apps and banning only those that fail to meet them.
MRF has received funding from Instagram’s owner, Meta, in lieu of legal proceedings after the inquest into Molly’s death.
Crossbench peer Beeban Kidron called the reported proposal a “non-ban ban” and accused ministers of soft-pedalling safety measures.
Labour MP Fred Thomas said the evidence supports bold action to protect children.
One unnamed Labour MP expressed frustration, saying the government should “get on with it.”
Open questions
Which specific apps would be included in the UK’s proposed ban.
Whether the government will follow the MRF’s recommendation of setting safety standards before banning apps.
The exact timeline for the ban announcement.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of the Molly Rose Foundation
Molly Russell, British teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful online content
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, contesting the Makerfield byelection
Beeban Kidron, crossbench peer and online safety advocate
Fred Thomas, Labour MP
Sources: The Guardian
