Keir Starmer tells MPs he is open to social media ban for young people

"We are looking at Australia, there are different ways you can enforce it, he told the meeting."

"No one thinks you should have phones in schools."

"It was definitely a change in tone and I think a lot of colleagues will have welcomed it. Keir gave the impression that all options are on the table."

Keir Starmer has shifted to being open to an Australian-style ban on social media for young people after concerns about five-year-olds spending hours on screens and wider harm to under-16s. Starmer previously opposed such bans because of enforcement difficulties and the risk of pushing teenagers toward the dark web, but growing cross-party support prompted a change in position. Ministers had opposed a private member's bill proposing algorithm exclusions for young teenagers and a review of phone sales and technological safeguards for under-16s. Australia has implemented its own ban and other UK politicians have signalled support for bolder action.

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