London mayor backs social media ban for under-16s

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has publicly backed a ban on social media use for children under 16, framing it as the only viable solution to address existing online harms. Speaking at a London event on Tuesday, he compared social media platforms to other industries, stating they should be required to prove their products are safe before being allowed to operate. Khan emphasized that until platforms can guarantee safety for children, restrictions are necessary to mitigate current risks. The proposal places Khan ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has pledged 'game-changer' actions on children’s online safety but has not committed to an outright ban. Khan previously advocated monitoring Australia’s equivalent measure but now supports a similar approach. The UK government’s recent consultation on children’s online experiences, which closed last week, explored measures like app curfews, limits on addictive features, and stricter age verification. Khan also highlighted the spread of misogyny online, calling it a 'wildfire,' and demanded tech firms explain how their algorithms enable such content. He warned that failure to act could lead to state intervention and announced a £1 million funding package for programs supporting boys and young men, including mentorship and community initiatives. His speech at SXSW London criticized 'toxic masculinity' language, arguing it risks alienating young men and driving them toward harmful online validation. Critics, including Ian Russell of the Molly Rose Foundation, argue bans address symptoms rather than root causes, potentially leaving children more vulnerable. Russell urged stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act instead of bans, warning they could absolve tech companies of responsibility. A January statement from 42 child protection charities, including the NSPCC, echoed this, calling for evidence-based policies rather than populist measures. The UK’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will provide new powers to implement potential safeguards, with ministers set to decide next steps based on the consultation’s findings. Tech industry responses remain unclear, as global debates continue over effective age verification methods. Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, has not yet publicly addressed the UK’s proposals.