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A coalition of 60 Labour MPs have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pressing him to champion a potential ban on social media access for children under 16, prior to a parliamentary vote in the the Lords this week.

Broad Appeal Grows

The signatories, including senior MPs, past shadow ministers and figures from across the party's spectrum, are seeking to increase the pressure on the government. This comes as increasing demands for the UK to emulate the approach of Australia, which implemented a comparable prohibition last December.

Although Starmer has indicated he is receptive to a ban, legislators within the House of Lords are attempting to force the issue through an legislative addition to the Children, Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment would force the enactment of a prohibition within 12 months of the act receiving royal assent.

“Across our constituencies, we encounter the same concerns: children are anxious, unhappy, and finding it hard to focus on learning. They are not building the social skills needed to flourish.”

International Action

The communication, coordinated by Labour MP Fred Thomas, further argues that “Around the world, governments are accepting the scale of this issue and implementing measures.” It notes implemented or proposed legislation in nations like New Zealand, Greece, Denmark, France and Norway.

“We believe the responsibility must be assigned to technology platforms, not parents, to stop children from accessing their sites,” the MPs write. “We would favour a framework similar to Australia’s that requires companies to take meaningful steps to uphold age limits.”

Implementation Concerns

This demonstration of support in the Commons adds further pressure on the Prime Minister. While he has earlier voiced scepticism about the workability of a ban, he recently stated to MPs he was receptive in theory to the concept.

Nevertheless, over the past few days, officials have highlighted apprehensions that a ban could push children toward more dangerous parts of the internet. They maintain on the need to see more evidence from the rollout in Australia before enacting a UK version.

“In principle, Keir is supportive of a ban. We can all see the harms and are anxious about what is happening to young people’s minds,” said a source close to Starmer. “But there are still big obstacles to overcome with execution. We need to take our time and make sure we do this properly.”

Lords Showdown

The Prime Minister's position will face a direct test this week when members of the upper house vote on the amendment by Conservative peer John Nash. This amendment to the children's wellbeing bill proposes introducing an age limit within a year the bill's passage.

Although the Labour leadership has not stated its stance on the amendment, a number of Labour peers are anticipated to support it regardless of any party whip.

Among them is former MP Luciana Berger, who has backed Lord Nash's amendment. She commented: “The plan for raising the social media age limit commands significant public support – nationally and within the Labour party. Social media is causing severe damage to children and we must act now to safeguard them.”