Starmer accused of 'blind spot' as call for under-16 social media ban grows

With rising fears about mental health impact of tech, ministers are split on following Australia's restrictions

- Rachel Sylvester

Keir Starmer is being urged by cabinet ministers, Labour MPs and peers to consider replicating the Australian social media ban for under-16s in the UK as concerns grow about the impact of technology on young people's mental health and wellbeing.

In an interview with The Observer earlier this month, the prime minister made clear that he is "personally" opposed to a ban. "I think we need to be really careful with social media," he said. But "I think it's more about how you control the content that children can see rather than simply saying [there should be] a blanket ban."

However, some ministers believe further controls are needed in light of the mental health crisis among the young and growing evidence of violence being fuelled online and a fault line is developing within the Labour party over the issue.

Australia's groundbreaking ban, which came into effect on Wednesday, puts a legal duty on technology companies to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from having a social media account. Platforms covered by the legislation include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Reddit and YouTube.

Some cabinet ministers are determined to act in Britain if the experiment proves successful.

Last week Wes Streeting, the health secretary, commissioned advice from his department on the evidence base that was used in Australia to drive the ban. He has asked his officials to prepare a paper on the policy. Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, is also concerned about the impact of the digital world on children, and is insisting that the government keep an open mind about a ban.