UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has said her party would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms if it returns to power.

Badenoch, who spoke to the BBC, said the proposal would follow the example set by Australia, which recently became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for under-16s. She added that the policy would also include a ban on smartphones in schools.

According to her, many parents want to restrict their children’s access to social media but lack the knowledge or tools to do so effectively. Badenoch linked the widespread use of what she described as “addictive” social media platforms to rising mental health challenges among young people, arguing that government intervention was necessary to protect children.

She dismissed claims that the policy would amount to government overreach, describing it as a conservative approach to child protection.

“Children are not adults. Freedom is for adults,” she said, stressing that safeguarding young people should take priority over unrestricted access to digital platforms.

Under the proposal, social media companies such as TikTok and Snapchat would be required to introduce stronger age-verification measures to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms. Badenoch said the policy would be kept under regular review.

Reacting to the proposal, UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the government would monitor how Australia’s ban works in practice before considering similar measures. She noted that the Online Safety Act already gives Ofcom powers to protect young people from harmful online content.

Alexander said the challenge was to strike a balance between keeping children safe online and allowing them to enjoy the positive aspects of the digital space.

The Labour government has so far ruled out an England-wide ban on smartphones in schools, leaving such decisions to school headteachers. However, ministers are considering limits on the amount of time children can spend on social media.

Some Labour figures have expressed support for stricter controls. Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said he agreed with many of Badenoch’s concerns about children’s social media use.

The Liberal Democrats, on their part, criticised the Conservatives for failing to support proposals last year to raise the digital age of data consent to 16, despite long-standing concerns about children’s online safety.

The NASUWT teachers’ union has also called for restrictions on social media use among children, following evidence gathered from its members.

Under the Online Safety Act, which came into force last year, social media platforms are required to prevent children from accessing harmful content related to issues such as suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pornography. Platforms that fail to comply risk heavy fines, imprisonment or, in extreme cases, a ban from operating in the UK.

Meanwhile, the UK government is expected to issue new guidance this spring on screen time for children under the age of five. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said research shows that nearly all children are exposed to screens daily by the age of two, with higher screen use linked to poorer language development.

The guidance, being developed by a national working group led by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, will involve parents, children and early years practitioners. Phillipson said the recommendations would be shaped by parents rather than imposed on them. (Nigerian Tribune)