"Wes Streeting has asked Jonathan Haidt, a bestselling author and high-profile advocate of banning social media for under-16s, to speak to his officials in his push for the UK to consider following a landmark ban in Australia. The health secretary has invited Haidt to address an event with staff, charities and MPs after the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said he was open to stricter limits for young people."
"He has become a global activist for stricter rules, including bans on social media for under-16s and on smartphones in schools. Starmer said on Monday he would consider all options in curbing young people's access to social media. We are looking at Australia, there are different ways you can enforce it, he told a meeting of Labour MPs. The prime minister also addressed the use of phones in school, adding: No one thinks you should have phones in schools."
"Starmer's words reflect a growing Westminster consensus in favour of such a move one which has been provoked in part by the row over X's AI tool allowing users to generate sexualised images of women and children. On Tuesday, Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats became the latest party leader to leave the door open to a social media ban for young people after a similar move by Nigel Farage of Reform UK."
Health secretary Wes Streeting invited Jonathan Haidt to speak with officials, charities and MPs as part of a push to consider a social media ban for under-16s similar to Australia. Haidt is a prominent advocate for stricter rules, arguing that widespread smartphone use has contributed to a youth mental health crisis and supporting bans on under-16s' social media use and on smartphones in schools. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would consider all options, referenced the Australian model and supported restricting phones in schools. Cross-party leaders and campaigners have signalled openness to regulation amid concerns over AI-generated sexualised images on X.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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