The UK government has been accused of rushing out plans for a social media ban for under-16s without considering the knock-on effects it would have on surveillance, privacy and young people’s wellbeing.
Ministers are expected to announce a full social media ban for children in the coming weeks, after technology secretary Liz Kendall said the plans were backed by 90% of respondents to a consultation on improving children’s relationships with phones.
The consultation closed last month after receiving over 116,000 responses from tech giants, members of the public, and advocacy groups. Keir Starmer has said his government will act quickly on its findings, which have not yet been made public in full.
