Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has proposed an under-16 socialmedia ban if her party returns to government.
She wants platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to enforce age checks so children under 16 cannot access their apps. This idea follows Australia, which introduced a nationwide ban for under-16s last year.
Badenoch told the BBC that social media can harm children’s mental health and concentration. She said: “We tell children what to do all the time. Children are not adults. Freedom is for adults… Children, we need to protect.”
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has no plans for a full under-16 socialmedia ban. Instead, it focuses on age-appropriate content and safer online experiences.
The Online Safety Act already requires platforms to protect children. Tech companies must prevent exposure to harmful content, provide suitable experiences, and face fines, jail, or even a ban if they fail.
However, Badenoch argued the law is not enough. She highlighted the addictive nature of platforms and said they profit from children’s anxiety and distraction.
A Labour spokesperson defended current measures, saying the Online Safety Act is “one of the boldest steps anywhere in the world” and strikes a balance between protection and digital opportunity.
Currently, apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 years old to create an account.
Other groups have supported stricter measures. The NASUWT teachers’ union called for an under-16 socialmedia ban to improve school concentration and protect mental health. The union warned that unchecked access can lead to poor behaviour and harmful content exposure.
The Liberal Democrats also raised concerns, saying they have long campaigned for stronger protections. They noted that the Conservatives voted against raising the digital age of consent to 16 last year.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Labour’s Andy Burnham, said he agreed with “a lot of what Kemi Badenoch is saying” regarding children’s social media use.
If implemented, Badenoch’s under-16 socialmedia ban could mark a significant change in UK online safety rules. It would also increase pressure on tech companies to enforce stricter age verification.
For more updates on this news, stay tuned to London Pulse News.
