Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer after more than 60 Labour MPs urged him to support a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, just days before the House of Lords is due to vote on a proposal that could force the government’s hand. The intervention highlights a growing divide within Labour over how urgently the UK should act to curb young people’s exposure to online platforms.
The MPs, drawn from across the party’s ideological spectrum, have signed a joint letter calling for decisive leadership on what they describe as a worsening crisis affecting children’s wellbeing. Their appeal comes as peers prepare to consider an amendment to the children, wellbeing and schools bill that would require a legally enforced age limit for social media within a year of the legislation becoming law.
If passed, the amendment could put Labour peers on a collision course with the prime minister, who is understood to favour a slower, evidence-led approach.
Push to Match International Action
Supporters of the ban argue that the UK risks falling behind other countries that have already moved to restrict children’s access to social media. Australia introduced a similar ban in December, and Labour MPs backing the proposal say its example shows governments are beginning to recognise the scale of harm linked to excessive social media use among young people.
Concerns about rising anxiety, reduced attention spans, and the erosion of face-to-face social skills have become increasingly prominent in political debate. Campaigners within Labour say these issues are being raised repeatedly by parents and teachers across the country, adding to pressure on ministers to act.
While Starmer has signalled that he is open to the idea of a ban in principle, senior figures close to Downing Street say he wants to wait before committing, particularly to assess how Australia’s policy works in practice.
MPs Warn of Impact on Children’s Development
The letter to Starmer, coordinated by Fred Thomas, the Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, sets out what its signatories see as the real-world consequences of inaction. The MPs argue that social media is undermining children’s emotional health and ability to engage with education.
“Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy, and unable to focus on learning,” they wrote. They also warned that many young people are failing to develop the social skills needed for adult life, describing the issue as one that affects not just individuals but society as a whole.
The MPs stressed that the UK is not alone in grappling with these challenges, pointing to a broader international shift toward tougher regulation.
Technology Firms, Not Parents, in the Spotlight
A central argument in the letter is that responsibility for enforcing age limits should fall on technology companies rather than families. The MPs argue that parents are being left to manage risks created by powerful digital platforms that are designed to maximise engagement.
They point to legislation already introduced or under consideration in countries including Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece, arguing that the UK should follow a similar path. The MPs said they would back an approach that compels platforms to take “meaningful steps” to prevent underage users from accessing their services, rather than relying on parental controls alone.
They concluded by urging the government to introduce a minimum social media age of 16, framing it as a necessary step to protect children.
Cross-Party and Cross-Faction Support
The list of signatories underlines how widely the issue cuts across Labour’s internal divisions. It includes senior figures such as Helen Hayes, chair of the education select committee, and Florence Eshalomi, who chairs the housing and local government committee.
Backing also comes from MPs associated with recent rebellions against government policy, including Vicky Foxcroft, a former whip, and Catherine McKinnell, a former education minister. Support stretches from the party’s left, represented by Richard Burgon, to its right, including Jonathan Hinder, a prominent advocate of “blue Labour” ideas.
This breadth of support has increased pressure on Starmer, who previously questioned whether a ban could be enforced effectively.
Government Urges Caution
Despite growing support in the Commons, ministers remain wary of unintended consequences. Government sources have repeatedly warned that banning children from mainstream platforms could push them toward less regulated online spaces, potentially exposing them to even greater risks.
One source close to the prime minister said that while Starmer recognises the dangers social media poses to young people, implementation remains a major challenge. The experience of Australia, they suggested, shows that enforcement is complex and could create new problems if rushed.
Downing Street has hinted that the prime minister may soon offer symbolic backing for the policy, while delaying full implementation to address technical and legal hurdles first.
Mixed Views Among Campaigners
Senior ministers have echoed this cautious tone. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has acknowledged the arguments in favour of a ban but also pointed to concerns raised by organisations such as the NSPCC about children being driven to darker, less regulated parts of the internet.
Some campaigners share these concerns. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died after viewing suicide-related content online, has spoken out against blanket bans. He has argued instead for stronger regulation of online platforms and better content controls, warning that sweeping measures may fail to address the root causes of harm.
