Sixty-plus Labour MPs Urge Starmer to Endorse Children Under 16 Ban on Social Media Access.

A coalition of 60 Labour MPs have penned a letter to Keir Starmer, calling on him to champion a proposed ban on social media access for children under 16, prior to a crucial vote in the House of Lords this week.

Cross-Party Pressure Mounts

The signatories, including committee heads, past shadow ministers and members from both the left and right of the party, are looking to increase the pressure on the administration. This amid growing calls for the UK to follow the lead of Australia, which implemented a parallel restriction recently.

Although Starmer has indicated he is receptive to a ban, legislators within the House of Lords are looking to force the issue via an proposed change to the Children, Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment would require the enactment of a ban within a year of the legislation passing.

“Across our constituencies, we are told the same story: children are anxious, unhappy, and finding it hard to focus on learning. They are not building the social skills needed to flourish.”

Worldwide Moves

The communication, spearheaded by Labour MP Fred Thomas, adds that “Globally, governments are recognising the seriousness of this issue and implementing measures.” It highlights current or planned legislation in nations like New Zealand, Greece, Denmark, France and Norway.

“We believe the burden must be assigned to technology platforms, not parents, to block access by minors,” the MPs argue. “We would back a model similar to Australia’s that compels companies to take significant action to enforce age limits.”

Practical Hurdles

This weight of parliamentary backing in the Commons places further pressure on the Prime Minister. Although he has previously expressed doubts about the practicality of a ban, he recently informed MPs he was open in principle to the proposal.

Nevertheless, recently, administration sources have stressed concerns that a ban could push children toward less-regulated online spaces. They have insisted on the need to gather more data from the Australian policy before committing to a UK version.

“Theoretically, Keir is supportive of a ban. We can all see the dangers and are concerned about what is happening to young people’s minds,” said a source close to Starmer. “But there are still big obstacles to overcome with putting it into practice. We need to move cautiously and make sure we do this properly.”

Lords Showdown

The Prime Minister's position will face a practical test this week when peers vote on the proposed change by Conservative peer John Nash. This amendment to the legislation proposes enacting an age limit within 12 months the bill's passage.

Although the Labour leadership has not stated its voting intention on the amendment, a number of Labour peers are likely to support it despite any instructions from whips.

Among them is ex-parliamentarian Luciana Berger, who has supported Lord Nash's amendment. She stated: “The idea for raising the social media age limit enjoys huge support – throughout the UK and inside the Labour party. Social media is causing severe damage to children and we must move swiftly to protect them.”