CIPR statement on under-16 social media ban
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has responded to the government's announcement that under-16s will be barred from a range of social media platforms, urging the government to focus on the features that make these spaces unsafe rather than on young users themselves.
The ban, announced this morning by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, covers platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. The government will also restrict access to higher-risk features, including disappearing messages and livestreaming, and act to prevent strangers contacting children on gaming platforms.
The Institute's central objection is that the new rules misplace responsibility. By targeting young users rather than the platform design that exposes them to harm, the approach leaves the underlying addictive features largely untouched – a concern shared by the National Crime Agency and the NSPCC, both of which have warned that restrictions of this kind risk pushing children towards less regulated, more dangerous online spaces.
Protecting children online is critical and the government is right in taking steps to do so. Social media companies have had years to address these challenges and have consistently failed to placate people's real concerns. However, today's announcement absolves tech firms of their responsibilities, and we would welcome further government engagement to engineer out the features that make these spaces addictive and potentially harmful. An imposed, one-size-fits-all approach could have the adverse effect of pushing young people away from legitimate communications channels and towards less regulated spaces.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).