'No plans' for under-16 social media ban in UK

THE UK Government would not support an Australia-style blanket ban on under16s using social media, the Technology Secretary has said.

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Peter Kyle said he believes decisions about when children should access social media should be left to parents.

Last year, he had suggested such a ban in the UK could be “on the table” if companies did not take action to protect children, but has since softened his stance on the issue, suggesting he had “no plans” for such a ban.

Australia introduced the world’s highest age restriction on social media use last year, barring children under 16 from creating accounts.

But Mr Kyle, speaking to Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “Parents need to have the flexibility to parent in a way that's suitable for their children and circumstances.