Government Consultation on Under-16s Social Media Ban Ends Tonight
Good morning. The government has been consulting on whether to follow Australia and impose a ban on social media use for under-16s, with the consultation closing at 11.59pm tonight. Keir Starmer is expected to announce the government’s response shortly thereafter. He has already indicated that some form of action will be taken. Last year, ministers expressed scepticism about adopting the Australian model, but opinion within the government and society at large has shifted rapidly on this issue.
Wes Streeting Calls for Stronger Measures
This morning, Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who is effectively running a leadership campaign, intervened in the debate. As reported by , he stated that a social media ban for under-16s “must be the start, not the end” and likened the social media sector to the tobacco industry.
In an interview on the Today programme, Streeting went further, saying that during his time in cabinet he unsuccessfully advocated for tougher action and accused Keir Starmer of being “behind the curve” on this issue.
Streeting’s Key Points from the Interview
Streeting reiterated his comparison of social media to the tobacco industry, suggesting that, similar to tobacco executives in the mid-20th century, social media leaders have suppressed evidence about the harm their products cause. He said:
“What we’ve seen from Big Tech is behaviour akin to Big Tobacco … We know from whistleblowers that in the tech industry, among those who are responsible for designing technology, including social media platforms, that are changing every aspect of our lives, they know that the product they’re designing is addictive, they know that it is harmful, and the business model is orientated towards getting kids while they’re young, addicting them with the design features that are designed for addiction, to grab your attention and keep you on their platform for as long as possible.”
He highlighted a “growing body of evidence” demonstrating the harmful effects of social media, stating:
“And then we see the consequences beginning to emerge through the growing body of evidence about the impact of this technology on childhood, whether that is sleep, concentration, learning, health, wellbeing, including mental health.
And the precautionary principle should apply here. So yes, it is true to say that the evidence is still emerging, but I think people have got eyes and ears and they can see the consequences of this unchecked harm.”
Streeting accused governments worldwide of being “asleep at the wheel” regarding this issue:
“Frankly, legislators, regulators, have been asleep at the wheel on this.”
He suggested that Keir Starmer had been “behind the curve” on the matter. While not overly critical of the prime minister, acknowledging that governments globally have been slow to confront social media companies, he emphasized that the Starmer government could have acted sooner. He explained that he was speaking out now because he was “liberated from the obligations of collective responsibility.” The arguments he presented publicly were the same he had made privately within government, including in “a number of cabinet committees and meetings,” where he said he “pushed as hard as I could.” He acknowledged that the government was moving to a “better position” but implied that Starmer could have acted more swiftly.
“To be fair to Liz Kendall, the science and technology secretary, she came into office [in September last year], she’s gripped this, she’s chosen to run a rapid consultation with the principle of how to implement restrictions, rather than whether. That’s all positive. And I trust Liz Kendall to act quickly following the closure of the consultation today.
And we must, because, as I say, we’re behind the curve.”
Potential Labour Leadership Challenge
Although there is no current Labour leadership election, and Streeting is not officially a candidate, he stated in the Today interview that he has secured the 81 Labour MPs’ names required to launch a leadership challenge. He is delaying this to allow the opportunity to return to parliament in the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.
Agenda for the Day
Morning: Keir Starmer will visit East Sussex to promote a government announcement about a competition review of the childcare sector, where he is scheduled to speak to the media.
Noon: Downing Street will hold a lobby briefing.
After 2pm: Members of the Scottish Parliament will debate a Scottish government motion urging the UK government to grant Holyrood the power to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. The vote is expected at 5pm.
Afternoon: Starmer will meet bereaved parents who blame social media for the deaths of their children at a roundtable event in Downing Street. The consultation on a potential ban on social media for under-16s closes tonight, and Starmer is expected to announce government action shortly.
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