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A group of 60 Labour MPs have penned a letter to Keir Starmer, calling on him to champion a suggested prohibition on social media access for children under 16, ahead of a crucial vote in the the upper chamber this week.

Widespread Appeal Grows

The lawmakers, who include select committee chairs, past shadow ministers and representatives from both the left and right of the party, are seeking to ramp up pressure on the prime minister. This follows growing calls for the UK to adopt a similar policy of Australia, which enacted a parallel restriction in December.

While Starmer has said he remains open to the idea, peers in the House of Lords are looking to bring the matter to a head through an legislative addition to the key legislation. This amendment would require the enactment of a ban within 12 months of the legislation passing.

“In all of our areas, we hear the same message: children are stressed and sad, and finding it hard to focus on learning. They are failing to develop the necessary skills needed to succeed.”

Worldwide Moves

The communication, which was organised by Labour MP Fred Thomas, further argues that “Around the world, governments are recognising the seriousness of this crisis and implementing measures.” It notes implemented or proposed legislation in countries like Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece.

“We believe the responsibility must be shifted to technology platforms, not parents, to block access by minors,” the MPs write. “We would support a system similar to Australia’s that obligates companies to take concrete measures to apply age limits.”

Policy Challenges

This demonstration of support from MPs adds further scrutiny on the Prime Minister. Although he has in the past shown doubts about the practicality of a ban, he recently informed MPs he was receptive in theory to the proposal.

Yet, recently, administration sources have stressed apprehensions that a ban could unintentionally drive children toward less-regulated online spaces. They maintain on the need to gather more data from the Australian experiment before enacting a UK version.

“Theoretically, Keir is in favour of a ban. We can all see the harms and are concerned about what is happening to children and teenagers,” commented an insider. “But there are still major challenges to overcome with implementation. We need to take our time and make sure we do this properly.”

Parliamentary Test

The Prime Minister's position will face a key test this week when lords vote on the amendment by Conservative peer John Nash. This amendment to the children's wellbeing bill proposes enacting an minimum age within a year the act is approved.

Although the Labour leadership has not yet declared its official position on the amendment, multiple Labour peers are likely to support it irrespective of any guidance from party managers.

Among them is former MP Luciana Berger, who has co-signed Lord Nash's amendment. She commented: “The plan for raising the social media age limit enjoys widespread backing – throughout the UK and inside the Labour party. Social media is catastrophically harming children and we must move swiftly to safeguard them.”