Keir Starmer acknowledged today the necessity of intensifying efforts to safeguard children on social media, amidst growing demands for an age restriction.

In response to a letter from numerous Labour MPs urging the UK to follow Australia’s lead in prohibiting under-16s from accessing social media platforms, the Prime Minister emphasized that “no options are off the table.”

Last month, Starmer expressed to the Observer his personal opposition to a blanket ban, suggesting that the focus should be on controlling the type of content children are exposed to rather than simply imposing age restrictions.

However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has openly supported the idea of implementing stricter measures, affirming his stance in favor of action on this pressing matter.

The call for change has been spearheaded by Labour MP Fred Thomas, with a total of 61 colleagues signing a letter that outlines the “clear” dangers of exposing children to “harmful, addictive” content found on these digital platforms.

The MPs, including veterans such as Graham Stringer and Richard Burgon, said Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece look likely to copy the Australian policy and ‘Britain risks being left behind’.

Keir Starmer said ‘no options are off the table’ after dozens of Labour MPs wrote a letter calling for the UK to emulate Australia’s ban on under-16s using sites and apps

Asked about the possibility of a ban at a Downing Street press conference this morning, Sir Keir said: ”On the question of social media more broadly, I think we need to do more to protect children. And that’s why we’re looking at a range of options and saying that no options are off the table.

‘We’re obviously looking at what’s happened in Australia, something I’ve discussed with the Australian prime minister.

‘I don’t think it’s just a question of social media and children under 16.

‘I think we’ve got to look at a range of measures. I’m particularly concerned about screen time for under-fives, which is not so much about social media, but about literally screen time and the impact it’s having on children when they arrive at school.

‘So I do think we need to look across the range. But, in direct answer to your question, do we need to do more to protect children when it comes to social media and screen time and associated harms? Then yes, we do.’

Banning under-16s from social media is backed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. 

This week the House of Lords is likely to vote on a ban as part of an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, tabled by former Tory education minister Lord Nash. 

It comes after Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died aged just 14, spoke out alongside 40 charities, campaigners and doctors, against a ban.

They warned restrictions could drive vulnerable youngsters towards unregulated internet spaces like gaming platforms – or darker sites such as suicide forums.

Mr Russell, whose daughter died in 2017, warned against an ‘ambition-led, politically-led, panic-led’ drive towards ‘hasty, non-evidence based decisions’.

He called for better enforcement of existing laws rather ‘sledgehammer techniques like bans’.

But, publishing a copy of the letter on X yesterday, Mr Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: ‘We all know the harm social media causes to young people’s mental health.

Health Secretary Wes Streetinghas made little secret about his own support for the move, insisting he is ‘in favour of action’ on the issue

Banning under-16s from social media is backed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

‘The Labour Government has acted in recent months. Today, 61 Labour MPs have written to the PM urging him to go further. We back an Australia-style model with the onus on tech firms to block under 16s access.’

The MPs point to research showing over 500 children a day are now being referred for anxiety treatment in England alone, with going from zero to just five hours’ daily access to social media doubling boys’ rates of depression and trebling those of girls.

They added: ‘The average 12-year-old now spends 29 hours a week on a smartphone, much of it on social media platforms rife with harmful content’.

It is jointly-sponsored by Lib Dem peer and former children’s television presenter Baroness Benjamin, Labour peer Baroness Berger and independent peer Baroness Cass, a paediatrician.