UK 'lagging behind' on child safety online as Aussies ban under-16s from social media

AUSTRALIA'S social media ban for under-16s should be a wake-up call to Britain, an ex-schools minister says.

- STEPH SPYRO Deputy Political Editor

Lord Nash warned the UK risked lagging behind on child safety without ramping up safeguards for youngsters.

Australia's ban which comes into effect today will mean that children under the age of 16 are no longer allowed to have social media accounts.

But some campaigners have branded Australia's move as flawed, warning it could lead to online threats and bad actors moving to other sites, which are still accessible to teenagers.

Lord Nash, who served as a Tory minister from 2013-17, said: "This should be a wake-up call for us. Britain should be leading the world on child safety, not lagging behind.

"My amendment [to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill] would adopt exactly what Australia has done at no cost to the taxpayer."

Consequences