Youth organisations call for re-think over U-16 social media ban

Youth organisations, charities and Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling for a re-think on plans for a UK-wide social media ban.

Announced in June under then prime minister Keir Starmer, the ban will prevent children accessing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. It is expected to come into force early next year.

But in a letter to the new prime minister, organisations including the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and charities including Children in Scotland called for a re-think, with young people to be given a bigger role in shaping the legislation.

According to the SYP’s own research, 81 per cent of young people believe the measures will push them into using riskier ways to access social media.

The letter also asks that the government commits to carrying out a Children’s Rights impact assessment on the proposed ban before it is introduced, citing the adoption into Scots Law of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which needs to be taken into consideration.

Ellie Craig MSYP, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Young people know the risks that exist online and want safer online spaces just as much as anyone else, but legislation affecting millions of young people cannot be developed without properly listening to those who will live with its consequences.

“We are asking the prime minister to work with young people, not simply make decisions on our behalf. Our message is straightforward - we want safer social media, but we also want policies that are based on evidence, that respect children's rights and genuinely make young people safer rather than unintentionally pushing them towards greater risks.”

Last year, Australia became the first country to introduce a social media ban for those aged 16 and under. However, there have been concerns that children are continuing to access the apps, with the government doubling the financial penalties that can be levied on non-compliant social media companies.

Research in Australia found more than 80 per cent of under-16s said they were still using social media three months after the legislation came into force.

Craig added: “If the government is determined to proceed with these proposals, then young people must have a seat at the table and not be an afterthought. What is happening in Australia can be avoided by consulting with the people who will be most affected.”