The UK government's plans to ban social media for under-16s have sparked concerns that it could drive children into the arms of even more sinister online predators. Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer's announcement comes as a major crackdown on the wellbeing and mental health impacts of social media on young people, with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and Facebook set to be affected.
However, experts warn that this move may inadvertently push children towards less regulated and more hazardous areas of the internet. "This ban is likely to have unintended consequences," says Nicola Cain, founder and head consultant at legal consultancy Handley Gill. "The government's failure to address the concerns raised by over 116,000 respondents during their consultation on the ban raises significant questions about its validity." Cain also highlights the risk of a judicial review challenge, citing the government's apparent disregard for public opinion.
Meanwhile, the proposed ban has already sparked a rise in searches for VPN services, with online interest surging by 165 per cent overnight. This trend is seen as a worrying sign that children may seek ways to circumvent the new rules and access more restricted areas of the internet. Adham Harker, senior associate at Brett Wilson, warns: "The use of VPNs will only serve to further obscure the identities of online paedophiles and allow them greater access to vulnerable children."