15 December 2023 , 08:08
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A ban on children using social media could be pushed forward next year, a minister has hinted.
Rishi Sunak is said to be weighing up a string of measures, including barring under-16s from using sites including TikTok and Instagram, or limits on their access. Today the Government didn't rule out the move and said a consultation is likely in the new year.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith told LBC that the Government doesn't "philosophically ban things", but said there's a case for new controls. He said: "Let me just emphasise it is about a balance. This isn't a Government that philosophically bans things for the sake of it, but it is about putting parents in control and protecting our children."
Asked whether the Government is considering banning children from social media, he told Sky News: "The speculation is about a potential consultation in the new year."
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He continued that the Online Safety Act had already improved protection for youngsters, but refused to rule out going further. Mr Griffith said: "Is there more that can be done? Potentially. Every parent out there recognises that as you seek to protect your child making sure that the Government gives you all the tools and has got your back on those sort of topics is something that is important to parents."
It comes as the Government was accused of "betraying" the families of children whose deaths were linked to social media. Bereaved families accuse ministers of watering down laws allowing coroners to access accounts in cases where a child has died.
They voiced their anger after ministers tabled amendments to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which states this access should only be provided if it's suspected a child has taken their own life. But No10 has claimed powers already exist for police to access social media accounts in other circumstances.
In a letter to the PM, the families of eight youngsters wrote: "Our children died in different ways and in different circumstances relating to the digital world. The tragedy for each of us remains and we all share the need to understand more about their deaths, however they died.
"We find the changes the Government has made callous. Our lived experience is that coroners and police have persistently failed to get hold of the necessary data from tech companies for their investigations. This routine failure is a miscarriage of justice and a source of great pain for many of us, and many more families bereaved by the loss of a child."
Government insiders told Bloomberg that a total social media ban for under-16s is under consideration. But they added that the move may not be included in future consultations.
It comes after the National Crime Agency (NCA) warned parents about letting children use Facebook. It follows Meta's decision to bring in encrypted messages. This week Schools Minister Damian Hinds called on the company to "rethink" its decision.
He told Times Radio: “It’s not about protecting people’s privacy. This is really a question about ability to intercept and to ultimately investigate, bring to justice people who are engaging in child abuse.”
Meanwhile Policing Minister Chris Philp said it would "prevent thousands of paedophiles from being arrested”. The PM's deputy official spokeswoman said she wouldn't comment on leaks, but added: “We are looking broadly at this issue of keeping children safe online.”