IT’S no big surprise that nine out of 10 parents support the government’s under-16 social media ban.
Hundreds of mums and dads from across Barrow and Furness have told me how worried they’ve become about the impact of social media on their children’s mental health.
Teachers and local councillors have also voiced their concerns.
It’s a time bomb that’s been ticking away and action needed to be taken.
Earlier this month experts produced a report which showed that children who spend more than two hours a day on social media are at higher risk of suffering from mental illness.
The new measures mean our children have been given back their childhoods, with less time for harmful scrolling and more time for healthy play.
The plans will set a new normal for future generations, kickstarting a cultural shift and driving forward Labour’s unvarnished commitment to give every child the best start in life.
We are using the same model for social media restrictions that have proved successful in Australia.
The ban will therefore include platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.
We are moving as quickly as possible on this – Australia’s Act came into force a year after it passed – we want to go faster.
We intend to put the first regulations before parliament towards the end of this year.
The restrictions go further than any other country – and they will affect a wider range of online services – including gaming sites.
Tech companies have had many opportunities to keep children safe, yet they’ve failed to act.
That’s why the government is taking power away from the tech giants and putting it back in parents’ hands.
The government will also learn lessons from Australia’s experience by introducing devices to make it far more difficult for children to bypass safeguards.
Labour’s announcement follows one of the biggest national conversations held by this government, with more than 116,000 responses submitted by parents, children and experts from all over the country.
The responses revealed overwhelming public backing for tougher action.
Most young people also backed action, with two-thirds agreeing that children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms.
Some people worry about children going elsewhere – to darker parts of the internet – once the ban is introduced, so Ofcom has been asked to rigorously enforce the Online Safety Act, particularly where it applies to riskier services.
The government is also putting in place measures, so children don’t meet a “cliff edge” when they turn 16.
These will include ensuring livestreaming and stranger communications are turned off by default for 16 to 17-year-olds, including gaming.
This is all about giving young people the childhood they deserve – one with the freedom to be kids again.
Not one chosen for them by big tech’s algorithms.
Under-16s will still have access to the internet, to messaging services with their family and friends, and to platforms that have been designed to be safe for children from the start.
Labour is working to make sure there are meaningful opportunities for children offline – as well as safer spaces online.
The government’s National Youth Strategy is helping to improve young people’s access to activities such as sport, arts and youth provision.
Labour gave a commitment in our election manifesto that we would improve the lives of children.
We meant it and we’ll deliver it.