Bereaved parents accuse Starmer of lacking courage over social media ban for children

"Sir Keir Starmer has been accused by bereaved parents of lacking the courage to protect young people after he ducked a vote on banning social media for under-16s. The condemnation came in a scathing letter written to the prime minister from 22 parents of 16 teenagers who took their own lives."

"While the government has promised action, it has claimed that a complete ban, following the example of Australia, would not be the right thing to do. The prime minister has been criticised for missing the vote."

"We have heard a great deal from your government in recent months about decisive leadership promises to go faster and further than any administration before you. We noticed that these statements came amid mounting pressure from within your own party to raise the age limit for social media."

Bereaved parents of 16 teenagers who died by suicide have written a scathing letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of lacking courage after he avoided voting on a proposed ban of social media for under-16s. The letter came within 24 hours of the government defeating a Commons attempt to implement such a ban. While the government has pledged action on social media regulation, it argues that a complete ban following Australia's model is not the appropriate approach. The 22 parents urged the prime minister to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies, referencing the government's previous statements about decisive leadership and going further than previous administrations.

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