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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

Limit social media ban for under-16s to unsafe apps, Starmer urged

NSPCC MRF Smartphone Free Childhood United Kingdom
A teenage girl looks at a TikTok video of a cat on a smartphone
Campaigners including the NSPCC believe a formal age limit would represent a safety ‘cliff edge’ for teenagers. Photograph: ANP/Alamy

Online safety campaigners have urged Keir Starmer to block under-16s from accessing social media apps that do not meet strict safety standards, instead of implementing a broader Australia-style ban.

The NSPCC, Molly Rose Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood said tech platforms should not be allowed to offer “risky” features to teenagers such as infinite scrolling, disappearing messages and push notifications.

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