Keir Starmer found himself backtracking again late last night, opening the door to an Australia-style ban on children using social media.
The move came after mounting pressure from within his own party, as ministers scrambled to head off yet another backbench revolt.
What’s now being proposed isn’t an immediate ban, but a public consultation that could ultimately restrict social media access for under-16s.
From Firm No to Careful Maybe
Only weeks ago, the Prime Minister was clear he didn’t support a blanket ban.
His argument then was that the real issue lay in controlling harmful content rather than blocking platforms outright.
Fast forward to this week, and the tone has shifted.
Faced with a looming House of Lords vote and growing unrest on Labour benches, the Government is now willing to explore tougher restrictions — including a full ban for younger users.
A Growing List of Policy Reversals
This latest rethink marks Labour’s 14th significant U-turn since coming into power.
The immediate trigger is an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, due to be voted on in the Lords.
If peers back the change, it would return to the Commons with serious momentum — and the potential for open rebellion, with more than 60 Labour MPs already backing Australia’s hardline approach.
What’s Actually on the Table?
A ban isn’t the only option being floated.
Ministers are also considering night-time curfews on social media use, caps on daily app time, and clamping down on addictive design features like endless scrolling.
The Government says it will launch a consultation on setting a minimum age for access, with a response promised by the summer — a move that conveniently buys time to cool tempers inside Westminster.
Allies at Odds Behind Closed Doors
The shift hasn’t been universally welcomed, even among Starmer’s closest allies.
Just over a week ago, Business Secretary Peter Kyle publicly dismissed an outright ban as “not the right way to go.”
Last month, Starmer himself said he wasn’t personally in favour of following Australia’s lead.
Those comments now sit awkwardly alongside the Government’s new position.
Conservatives Smell Blood
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch wasted no time piling on the pressure.
She accused the Prime Minister of dithering and hiding behind consultations instead of taking decisive action.
Badenoch reiterated her party’s pledge to ban under-16s from social media if the Conservatives return to power, arguing the harm to children is already beyond dispute.
Public Opinion Is Clearly Tilting One Way
Polling suggests the Government may struggle to resist tougher action even if it wanted to.
A recent YouGov survey found nearly three-quarters of Britons support a ban on social media for under-16s, with fewer than one in five opposed.
That level of backing means any consultation could easily end with ministers being pushed toward a full ban.
Pressure From Within Labour Ranks
The calls aren’t just coming from the opposition.
Sixty-one Labour MPs wrote to the Prime Minister last weekend urging “urgent action” to raise the minimum age for social media use to 16.
Among them are influential figures who have previously helped force major policy reversals — something Downing Street will be keen to avoid repeating.
Voices Shaped by Tragedy
Beyond Parliament, the emotional case for a ban is being driven by bereaved families.
Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has written directly to Starmer, urging him to take what she called a vital step in protecting children online.
She was joined by ten other grieving families who say online harms played a role in their losses.
Support From the House of Lords
Backing for tougher rules has also come from Baroness Hilary Cass, who led the review into NHS treatment for gender-questioning children.
Her warning was stark: every delay risks failing more children.
Other supporters include Baroness Benjamin and Conservative peer Lord Nash, giving the proposal rare cross-party weight in the Lords.
Concerns About Unintended Consequences
Not everyone is convinced a ban is the answer.
Several children’s charities, including the NSPCC and Childnet, argue that a blanket restriction could create a false sense of safety.
They warn children may simply migrate to less regulated corners of the internet, including the dark web, making risks harder to monitor rather than easier to manage.
Lessons From Australia’s Experience
There are also practical worries about how effective a ban would be.
In Australia, teenagers have already found ways around restrictions, and enforcement has proved complex.
Critics fear the UK could face similar problems, alongside hefty costs and legal challenges for tech companies.
Schools and Phones Under Scrutiny
Alongside the consultation, the Government has announced that Ofsted inspectors will check whether schools are properly enforcing mobile phone bans.
It’s part of a broader attempt to show action is being taken now, not just debated for later.
The Government’s Balancing Act
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall summed up the official line, saying the aim is to make sure technology adds to children’s lives rather than damaging them.
The challenge for ministers is finding a solution that reassures parents, satisfies MPs, and actually works in practice.
Key Questions People Are Asking
Why Is the UK Looking at a Ban Now?
Pressure from Labour MPs, mounting public concern, and the example set by Australia have combined to push the issue to the top of the agenda.
Why Has Starmer Changed Course?
The immediate reason is political survival.
With a Lords vote imminent and rebellion brewing, the consultation is a way to ease internal pressure.
Who Backs a Ban?
Supporters include dozens of Labour MPs, Conservative figures, senior peers, and campaigners like Esther Ghey and Baroness Cass.
Who Opposes It?
Several major children’s charities argue a blanket ban could backfire and fail to improve safety or wellbeing.
What Would Happen Next?
The consultation will explore age limits, curfews, time caps, and design restrictions, with conclusions expected in the summer.
What’s Next?
All eyes now turn to the House of Lords vote and the response from Labour’s backbenchers.
For now, the Government has bought itself breathing space — but whether that turns into decisive action, or yet another climbdown, will become clear in the months ahead.
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