Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, says Tech Secretary

A SOCIAL media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, the Technology Secretary has said.

Peter Kyle has backed away from copying the idea, which has recently been approved by the Australian government.

He agreed online sites had educational and safeguarding benefits for children.

And he insisted kids themselves want to “be made safer” online but were opposed to an outright ban.

The Labour minister previously said an Aussie-style clampdown was “on the table” as part of a review into the damaging side of the internet.

Talking to The Sun, Mr Kyle has now said: “I don’t have any plans to ban social media for under-16s.”

He also warned ministers had to be “very careful” about imposing curbs which could deprive vulnerable children of a lifeline.

He said: “They use it for educational purposes, they use it for communicating with friends, often in a positive way.

“But also — for kids who do have challenges in life, some who want to talk about ­concerns that they might have — it is also a lifeline.

“For example, Childline is increasingly using some of these services to get to vulnerable kids who want to talk, so we have to be very careful about it.”

The Tech Secretary said he would be “learning” from the Australian experience.

Aussie MPs voted for the ban in November. It will take at least a year to implement, with fines of up to £27million for tech firms that do not comply.

Mr Kyle launched a study on the impact of social media and smartphones on kids ahead of a possible crackdown.

Under the Online Safety Act, passed last year, Ofcom can already fine firms up to £18million for failing to remove harmful content from sites.