Social media ban in UK for under-16s similar to that Australia? Minister says...

After Australia passed a bill to ban social media for kids under 16 years of age, other countries including the United Kingdom started thinking in this direction.

On Thursday (Nov 21), the BBC reported that the UK's technology secretary Peter Kyle saida possible ban for under-16s is “on the table."

While speaking on the Today programme, on BBC Radio 4, Kyle said he would “do what it takes” to keep young people and children in particular safe online.

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He also announced detailed research into the impact tech was having on young people, claiming that research currently came up with “no firm, peer-reviewed evidence.”

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However, while speaking to The Guardian, Kyle said"there’s no work programme at the moment on banning smartphones to children."

His comments came as he met a group of teenagers at the headquarters of the NSPCC in London on Thursday. Childline operators deal with about 10 calls a day from children suffering harm from social media.

Social media ban for kids in Australia

The idea of legally restricting social media for young people has come after the Australian government said it would introduce legislation to ban children under 16 from social media.

Earlier, Australia's communications minister Michelle Rowland introduced a world-first law in Parliament to ban children under 16 from using social media.

"This bill establishes a new societal norm that social media access should not define growing up in Australia,” Rowland said, pointing towards the risks of unfiltered and endless content exposure for young users.

Watch |Australia Considers Ban On Social Media For Children Under 16 By 2025

Kyle’s comments earlier that a ban was “on the table” led to concerns among teenagers. Kyle is still saying he has not ruled out a ban in the future, depending on evidence about its effectiveness, including if one is rolled out in Australia where legislation is going through parliament.

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"I’m in touch with the government in Australia to see what, if it is, they’re basing it on [and] why they’re doing it,"he said.

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed the Australian government for proposing a law banning social media for kids under 16.

The X owner called the bill "a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians."

Australia announced the bill on November 21 and Musk reacted just hours after it.

(With inputs from agencies)