A petition opposing the UK government's proposal to ban social media for individuals under the age of 16 has garnered over 150,000 signatures, just over 24 hours after the policy was announced. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the plans during an early-morning press conference on Monday, stating that he is 'not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.'
While numerous charities and advocacy groups have welcomed the initiative, the announcement has also drawn notable criticism. The Royal Society for Blind Children cautioned that the ban 'risks cutting off vital routes to connection for children who are already too often excluded' and confirmed it would work to mitigate the impact. Meanwhile, fact-checking organization Full Fact described the move as a 'misguided, retrograde step and a de facto surrender in the fight against harmful online misinformation.'
Petition gains momentum
A petition against the ban was originally launched on the official Parliament website in February, as pressure mounted on the government to take action. Its creator, Leo Rhodes, wrote: 'I think the government shouldn't ban social media for under 16s. This is because for many young people social media is how they communicate with their friends. Some people view social media as a lifeline. A community, a supportive network.'
Approximately three weeks later, the government initiated a consultation on enhancing online safety for under-16s. It became one of the largest consultations ever conducted in the UK, with 116,000 responses, including contributions from tens of thousands of parents nationwide.
Government response and next steps
Yesterday's announcement marked the first official government response to the call for evidence and also addressed livestreaming and gaming platforms. Within hours of Starmer confirming the plans, the petition surpassed 100,000 signatures, a threshold that requires the issue to be considered for a parliamentary debate. The number of signatures has since increased by 50%, continuing to rise by hundreds every few minutes.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated: 'We are giving children their childhood back. I am clear-eyed about all the challenges that social media brings, for adults as well as children, and technology constantly changes.' She informed MPs that other concerns, such as the use of VPNs to bypass restrictions, would be addressed next month following the conclusion of a pilot scheme.
