- UK confirms no plans to copy Australia’s ban on social media
- But the culture minister said the government may consider it if it works
- Australians under the age of 16 are banned from using popular social media apps
It’s been less than 24 hours since Australia’s landmark ban on social media for under-16s came into effect, and the UK government is already being asked if it intends to follow suit.
However, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed today (December 10) that the government has “no plans” to copy the legislation. Speaking on Sky News, Nandy cited concerns about enforcement and the risk that a ban on access could “push young people to other places” online.
However, the door is not completely closed. In a separate appearance on BBC Breakfast, Nandy admitted the government would “certainly consider it” provided there was evidence it worked and young people trusted the process.
Is age-appropriate content the right approach?
The UK made headlines earlier this year when it began enforcing age verification provisions in its online security legislation.
Under these rules, platforms must ensure that users are over the age of 18 before providing access to inappropriate material. This has affected a wide range of services, from adult sites and dating apps to social media and user-generated content platforms.
But the move has sparked backlash. Despite agreeing on the importance of protecting children online, privacy experts and digital rights advocates have strongly criticized mandatory age checks, calling them a dangerous “privacy trade-off”.
These privacy concerns have pushed many Brits towards the best VPNs to bypass age controls. Ofcom has recognized the challenge posed by circumvention tools such as VPNs and is currently monitoring their use.
Given this cat-and-mouse dynamic, it is hardly surprising that officials in the UK are questioning whether Australia’s sweeping legislation may have an “enforcement problem”.
Will banning teenagers from social media altogether be the next step in the UK? The UK culture minister does not appear to be convinced yet, but other influential figures are already aligning themselves with Canberra’s tougher stance.
Speaking to PoliticsHome, Joani Reid, Chair of the Children’s Online Safety All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), said: “The principle of it is a great thing and if it is successful and implemented well, I hope the Government will look at it.”
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