This week I voted against the Lord’s Amendment to bring in a social media ban. This is because the Government is currently consulting on measures to keep children safe across the internet from social media to gaming sites. The consultation will look at a potential ban on social media for children, effects of gaming, restricting AI chatbot features and overnight curfews. I want to wait for the results of this consultation alongside taking advice and guidance from relevant charities and organisations. A ban is not off the table, under an amendment in lieu, the Science Secretary, Liz Kendall, could
- restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chatbots
- limit children’s VPN use
- restrict access to addictive features
- change the age of digital consent in the UK
It is important that we view available evidence including from Australia who introduced a ban in January.
