PCC statement on social media ban for under-16s

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to bring in a social media ban for under-16s.

Donna Jones said: “I welcome moves to keep young people safe online but I don’t think a blanket ban for all under 16s on the proscribed social media platforms, as contained in the Prime Minister’s announcement, is the right way forward.

“This feels like we are punishing young people rather than punishing social media companies who have enabled harmful content to be available.

“What we need is the government to step up, to build a proper regulation system, to strictly enforce that regulation, and not to punish young people with a blanket ban which will end up being unenforceable.

“We can look at Australia as the example, where they introduced a ban at the end of last year, but research shows 61% of under 16s have noticed no change in their social media use, while only 26% report that their use was affected.

“Let’s build a system that keeps young people safe online rather than trying to punish them by preventing them from being able to engage with educative content and communicate with their friends.

“I worry this will give parents a false sense of security and risks letting tech firms off the hook for safety failings.”