How social media firms can avoid a UK ban on children using their platforms

So it’s understandable that Australia has banned children aged 16 and under from social media, the UK Government is consulting on a similar course of action, and the Conservatives say Labour should stop dithering and “get children off these adult platforms altogether”.

However, there is another side to this argument. Ian Russell’s 14-year-old daughter Molly took her life after viewing social media posts about suicide and self-harm, and he subsequently set up the Molly Rose Foundation to help reduce suicide rates among young people.

He might be expected to support a ban, but Russell says parents are being “presented with a false choice between a toxic status quo and a social media ban that risks unintended consequences and a false sense of security for parents”.

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Stronger protections for children

Instead, he argues the UK’s Online Safety Act – under attack by Big Tech and the Trump administration – should be strengthened to “address the harmful and addictive design choices that are blighting a generation of children, and to make clear in law that protecting digital wellbeing is now the price of admission to the UK market”.

In Australia, some children have reported feeling relief at not being able to use addictive apps. However, there has been a surge in the use of apps not covered by the ban, while some children now simply spend more time playing video games. Others use virtual private networks (VPNs) to hide their location or lie about their age.

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Displaying a shocking lack of care, social media companies have created a virtual world that’s not safe for children. Disgracefully, they have sought to use ‘free speech’ arguments against effective regulation. If this continues, the UK may have little option but to follow Australia’s lead.

However, we hope the threat of a ban will finally bring these firms to their senses and force them to treat their responsibilities towards their youngest users with the requisite seriousness.