Use film-style age ratings to limit teens' social media, say Lib Dems
2 hours ago Share Save Kate Whannel political reporter Share Save
Getty Images
The Liberal Democrats have proposed introducing film-style age ratings to limit which social media apps children can access. Under the party's plan, platforms that use addictive algorithmic feeds or host "inappropriate content" would be restricted to users over 16 years old, while sites with "graphic violence or pornography" would be rated 18-plus. This approach, the Lib Dems have argued, would "avoid the unintended consequences" of banning all under-16s from using social media, as advocated by the Conservatives. In recent days, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he is open to the idea of an outright ban, telling reporters that "all options are on the table".
He said he would be watching to see how a ban recently introduced in Australia was working. The new Australian law, which came into force in December, requires certain social media companies including Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X and TikTok to take "reasonable steps" to keep children off their platforms. In order to ascertain a user's age, the companies can use government-issued identity documents, face or voice recognition or analyse online behaviour to estimate a person's age. The Conservatives have said that, if elected, they would follow the same approach as the Australian government and ban under-16s from accessing social media. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "The internet is a Wild West, social media in particular, we don't want children to be on there." However, Victoria Collins, the Liberal Democrats' science and technology spokesperson, said the proposal for a "blanket ban" was a "blunt instrument that doesn't work in a digital age". She said it showed Conservatives "just don't trust parents". The Liberal Democrats have argued that their "tailored approach" would allow governments to "quickly categorise" newly-emerging social media platforms based on the addictiveness or harmfulness of their content. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Our message to social media giants is clear: if your platform spreads harmful content or relies on addictive and harmful algorithms, you should not be allowed anywhere near our children. "This issue cannot be kicked down the road any longer."