Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean said she was ‘disappointed’ by the social media ban announced by Sir Keir Starmer.
There is a “real risk” that banning under-16s from social media will see youngsters “driven to darker places on the internet”, Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner has warned.
Nicola Killean insisted the evidence does not currently show that banning children from social media will make them safer online.
She spoke out after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his Government was “giving children their childhoods back” by acting on the issue.
He acted amid concerns that social media can be unsafe for youngsters, is making children miserable and potentially causing lasting damage to their mental health.
While the Prime Minister acknowledged some youngsters will try to try to find their way around the ban, he insisted he would not compromise on the “safety and happiness of our children”.
Restrictions are now expected to be passed by Christmas and in place by spring next year, which will leave technology firms, rather than children, liable for enforcement action if they fail to comply.
There will also be measures to prevent children from chatting with adults on gaming and livestreaming platforms.
Children’s charity the NSPCC described the measures as “a win for children and parents and all of us who have campaigned for better child protection online”.
But Ms Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said she was “disappointed” with the UK Government’s stance – adding that children may be less likely to speak out if they do see harmful content online.
The Commissioner added that the Prime Minister’s statement “spoke to adults only, not to the children and young people who will be most affected by these decisions”.
A children’s rights impact assessment carried out by the Commissioner’s office “found a social media ban for under-16s would not currently be a proportionate, effective, or enforceable way to protect children’s rights”, she said.
Ms Killean continued: “Today’s announcement leaves more questions than answers. We know when a ban will happen, but not how or what it will include.
“The UK Government must urgently address children and young people directly.
“With the evidence from Australia showing that the majority of children are still on social media, children need to know that they can report harmful content without repercussions. They must not feel they are to blame and are doing something wrong.
“There is a real risk now that children will be driven to darker places on the internet and stop talking to adults about what they might see.”
The Commissioner accepted that “evidence shows that social media can expose children to serious risks, including harmful content, cyberbullying, manipulation, contact from strangers, exploitation and excessive use”.
But she added: “It also shows that social media can play an important role in many children’s lives by supporting communication, self-expression, access to information, participation, play, and connection with communities and support networks.
“The available evidence does not currently show a blanket ban would make children safer online, and it may inadvertently push children to less regulated or riskier parts of the internet.”
She added that some youngsters – such as those living in rural areas, those with family overseas, those who are disabled and those who rely on online spaces for support – will be “particularly affected” by the ban.
The Commissioner said: “Enforcing a ban on children takes away the responsibility on platforms to make social media safer.
“We want safeguards and the regulation of platforms to be strengthened – and enforced. Platforms must be made to take more accountability in preventing harm – addictive and exploitative features should be the focus.
“Platforms should change so they are suitable for children, rather than children simply being banned from them.”
