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British ministers will keep a close watch Social media banned for under-16s in Australiaculture secretary Lisa Nandy The confirmation came as the government unveiled its 10-year National Youth Plan.
While there are no immediate plans to take measures in the UK due to “enforceability” concerns, Ms Nandy suggested that action could be taken in the future if it did australian policy Proves to be successful.
It comes with a £500 million package to revive it youth servicesThat includes building or refurbishing 250 youth centers and giving more children access to a “trusted adult” outside their home.
Ms Nandy made the comments to broadcasters on Wednesday in response to questions about Australia’s potential approach to social media accounts for under-16 children.
Facebook, Instagram, Kik, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok,
“We’re obviously keeping a very close eye on the way this is going on in Australia because we know that young people are really struggling with the amount of time they spend online and what’s happening to them online,” Ms Nandy told Sky News.
But when asked if he thought a ban would be a good idea, he told Times Radio: “We don’t think so.
“We asked young people what they thought about it, and the overwhelming response was concern about enforceability.
“Are we seriously saying we’re going to start prosecuting young people for going on social media?”
The cabinet minister indicated that the government might change its approach if the ban gained support from young people.
“Yes, we would certainly consider it, not only if it works, but if young people believe it is working and they trust it is a solution,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Under the plans announced on Wednesday, the government will aim to ensure that more than 500,000 young people have access to an adult, such as a youth worker, who they can trust to help them deal with challenges such as staying safe online.
A network of 50 “Youth Future” centres, described as bringing together different services under one roof, is to be set up by March 2029, with the first eight operational by March 2026.
Opposition critics argue the plan falls short of the action needed to help young people, with the Tories saying the future looks “increasingly bleak” for the next generation under Labour.
The government hopes the plans will protect young people from “online isolation” in favor of “connections and connections in real life”.
It follows a so-called “state of the country” survey conducted by Ms Nandy, which heard from more than 14,000 young people across England.
sir prime minister keir starmer He said he believed improving prospects for children was “the greatest responsibility of our generation” as he warned of a “lost decade of young children”.
He said, “As a father and Prime Minister, I believe it is the greatest responsibility of our generation to bring back the lost decade of young children as collateral damage. This is our moral mission.”
The Liberal Democrats said the government needs to do “much more” to ensure all children have access to the local services they are entitled to.
Munira Wilson, the party’s spokesperson for education, children and families, said: “The Government also has a responsibility to every child with special educational needs and their families to reform the broken SEND system to ensure they are not left behind.”
“It cannot continue to throw litter on the street – the future of thousands of vulnerable children is at stake.”
Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddlestone said any new investment in youth services was “welcome”, but added: “Young people need a strong, growing economy that can deliver real jobs and real prospects.
“Instead, Labour’s economic mismanagement and tax rises are forcing businesses to close, shrinking opportunities while inflation continues to rise.
“Under Labour, the outlook for the next generation is increasingly bleak.”