Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary
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The Australian government has recently put in place some of the toughest social media controls by any country to date. An Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, the technology secretary has indicated, amid growing calls for more controls on children’s internet usage.
The Australian government has recently put in place some of the toughest social media controls by any country to date, imposing an outright ban on social media for under-16s. While Peter Kyle last year said such an idea was being considered, he has since backed away from copying the policy entirely, instead saying the UK will be learning from the Australian experience.
It comes as the government seeks to limit harms for young people online, with new laws coming into force next year that will put more responsibility on social media platforms to protect users. Speaking to The Sun, Mr Kyle said: “I don’t have any plans to ban social media for under-16s.”.
He also said ministers must be “very careful” about imposing curbs which could deprive vulnerable children of a lifeline. “They use it for educational purposes, they use it for communicating with friends, often in a positive way. “But also — for kids who do have challenges in life, some who want to talk about concerns that they might have — it is also a lifeline”, he said.
