Push for UK social media ban risks being seen as political lifeline for Starmer
By Patricia Figueiredo ( May 26, 2026, 15:52 GMT | Comment) -- UK pressure for social media restrictions for under-16s has intensified ahead of a government consultation on children’s online safety closing on Tuesday. A leadership crisis in the ruling Labour party has led to pressure for a rapid, decisive response to the consultation, despite it holding out range of possible measures from an outright ban to app curfews, broader use of age-verification tools, as well as restrictions on specific platform features.Debate in the UK about social media harms became a full-blown political football last weekend as senior political figures seen as harboring leadership ambitions trumpeted support for a full ban on under 16s using platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. ...
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