Prime Minister’s remarks on social media this morning

Good morning.

Now before I start on social media  

I want first to welcome the breakthrough reached last night between the US and Iran   

And I congratulate President Trump, the mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, and all those involved. 

This is a hugely significant moment. 

We have long called for deescalation.  

And it is vital that all parties seize this opportunity...  

To secure stability in the region 

And restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz  

Which, in turn will ease the economic pressures felt by people here in the United Kingdom and around the world. 

We will now work closely with our partners to support  

this agreement 

And to ensure it turns into a durable, lasting peace. 

************ 

Now turning to social media  

And can I say how great it is to see so many people here 

Who played such a key role in the consultation. 

And you know - some people are dismissive of processes like this. 

But policymaking that doesn't listen very carefully to the voices of those it seeks to serve 

That is not how this Government carries out its business. 

And so, I just want to thank you for the role that you have all played 

And indeed - I want to thank all the people who have campaigned so courageously on this issue 

Including those who have done so after suffering terrible tragedy or loss  

Thank you. 

Because today is a big moment for our country. 

This is a big step 

Real change for our children and our future. 

Because today - I can announce 

That the Government will ban access to social media 

For all children under the age of sixteen. 

This is not something I do lightly. 

And I will not present it as cost-free 

As if social media has brought no benefits to young people 

Because clearly that is wrong. 

But Government is always about choices.  

And its clear to me that a full ban is the right choice. 

Now I come to it as a parent myself 

I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we're thinking about this issue. 

You know, all I have ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart 

Is for them to be happy and for them to be safe. 

And I think that's what any parent wants. 

But I ask the question now 

Do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? 

Do we truly believe that it's a place where they can feel safe? 

I don't think I even need to answer those questions - do I? 

Every parent can see it with their own eyes 

Social media is making children unhappy. 

It's making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them 

And it could even be harming their mental health. 

Exposing them to content that is dangerous 

Because that's what grabs the attention. 

It's designed to be addictive - of course it is. 

Features like the infinite scroll 

They're designed to lock you in for hours. 

And if nothing else, there's an opportunity cost to that. 

It stops children doing their homework 

Reading 

Playing with their friends outside 

Going to bed at a decent hour.  

Now that may not sound like much 

But these are the activities that help a child develop into an adult

We know how important they are.  

We just never thought that something would come along to threaten them. 

To be honest - I feel for this generation. 

I think back to my own childhood - and yes, the early 1970s weren't always a picnic. 

But we didn't have to deal with anything like this 

A technology that intrudes into every corner of a life 

Almost impossible to escape 

That records every mistake.  

To deal with that, as a teenager 

On top of everything else

That's hard. 

I feel for parents too. 

I mean as a parent you always want to make the right choice for your child  

Which can face a little resistance in the teenage years 

Believe you me! 

But parents just want to do the best for their kids 

In a way that's what being a parent means. 

But in this world, with this technology  

It is hard as a parent to know what to do. 

 
 
And so, I think most parents will welcome this action 

I think they will welcome a clear and decisive choice 

And they will welcome a Government that stands by them 

That supports them to do the best for their children 

And that fights, for their happiness and safety 

Against the most powerful companies in the world. 

Because this could be a fight - and to this point it has been a fight. 

But it doesn't have to be - I always prefer the politics of partnership... 

And I fundamentally believe that we must harness the power of technology 

To build a stronger, fairer Britain. 

But we must also protect our children. 

And so, I want this message to be heard loud and clear 

I am not prepared to compromise 

On the safety and happiness of our children 

That is why this ban must happen 

That is why this ban will happen. 

But it won't be easy. 

I mean some technology companies want us to think that social media is unchangeable 

Part of an almost natural order... 

But we have to resist that kind of learned helplessness 

We have agency 

We can change it and we will. 

Yes, it's hard. 

Hard to legislate for 

Hard to regulate 

Hard to enforce.  

That's why we've sought a wide range of views on this

That's why we've listened to people 

Had a conversation 
 

We've looked carefully at the evidence 

Learnt from countries, like Australia, that are taking similar steps

And we're not just bringing forward a ban 

We're going further. 

We're taking world-leading action on gaming services and livestreaming platforms 

Where, at the moment, strangers can contact any child unchecked. 

Just think about that 

Is there a situation in the offline world 

Where you would just let your child pair up 

With a stranger 

An adult that you don't know anything about? 

No - so we're taking action on that. 

And look - we know perfectly well 

That we will have to adapt our approach as technology changes. 

But, building on our experience with the Online Safety act 

We do have an understanding of how to apply age verification.  

And because of powers we took in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 

We can now move at pace 

And crucially - we can adapt as technology changes 

We have those powers. 

So we are ready and confident that this ban can be effective. 

Now - will it mean that no child ever logs onto social media again 

No. 

But look - this might shock you - but it doesn t shock parents of teenagers 

They get around other laws too! 

But we don't say - oh, look a teenager managed to  

get a drink somehow 

So let's not bother banning alcohol sales to children -

We don't do that do we? 

That would be utterly ridiculous. 

And so, I just don't accept that argument.  

Laws are rules 

But they are also an expression of our values 

They shape the social contract. 

And so this will change the conversations that parents have 

And the expectations of children, over time 

It will make a huge difference. 

It will make our children safer. 

It will make our children happier. 

It will give them more time, more security,  

more freedom to grow up 

More opportunity. 

And that, at the end of the day is what this Government is about. 

It is why so many of the investments that we've made 

Are about supporting children and young people. 

In childcare 

New nurseries, 

Family hubs 

Apprenticeships 

Tackling child poverty 

Mental health support 

Technical Colleges 

In a youth guarantee for young people struggling to find work. 

And today - it's exactly the same approach 

Now this isn't just about taking something away 

Because we're also investing in music, culture, art, sport 

All those activities that we know are so important to childhood 

Particularly for children who do not usually get  

those opportunities. 

So when you put all this together 

These policies are not just fixes for our problem 

They are the building blocks of a different Britain altogether 

One where we know that our children are safe, happy and secure 

To go as far as their talent and their effort will take them. 

That is all any parent wants 

They want to know that Britain will be better for their children 

that they will get a fair chance 

And that's what these changes are about 

Restoring that hope for every family 

A stronger Britain 

A fairer Britain 

And above all 

A Britain where we invest in the future of every single child. 

That is why we are taking this step 

And it is the right step for Britain. 

Thank you very much.