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A coalition of 60 Labour parliamentarians have penned a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to champion a suggested prohibition on social media access for under-16s, prior to a crucial vote in the the Lords this week.

Widespread Pressure Mounts

The signatories, comprising select committee chairs, former frontbenchers and figures from across the party's spectrum, are seeking to increase the pressure on the administration. This amid growing calls for the UK to emulate the approach of Australia, which introduced a comparable prohibition last December.

While Starmer has said he remains open to the idea, members of the House of Lords are attempting to force the issue via an amendment to the Children, Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment would mandate the implementation of a age restriction within 12 months of the bill becoming law.

“Throughout the communities we represent, we encounter the same concerns: children are worried and distressed, and unable to focus on learning. They are lacking the necessary skills needed to thrive.”

Worldwide Moves

The missive, coordinated by Labour MP Fred Thomas, also states that “Internationally, governments are acknowledging the scale of this crisis and taking action.” It points to existing or pending legislation in countries like Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece.

“We believe the responsibility must be placed on technology platforms, not parents, to stop underage access,” the MPs write. “We would support a system similar to Australia’s that compels companies to take significant action to apply age limits.”

Practical Hurdles

This weight of parliamentary backing within the lower house increases further scrutiny on the Prime Minister. While he has in the past shown doubts about the effectiveness of a ban, he recently stated to MPs he was receptive in theory to the idea.

Yet, in recent days, administration sources have highlighted concerns that a ban could unintentionally drive children toward the dark web. They maintain on the need to see more evidence from the Australian policy before deciding on a UK version.

“In principle, Keir is supportive of a ban. We can all see the dangers and are concerned about what is happening to young people’s minds,” commented an insider. “But there are still big obstacles to overcome with implementation. We need to move cautiously and make sure we get this right.”

Parliamentary Test

The Prime Minister's stance will face a practical test this week when peers vote on the proposed change by Conservative peer John Nash. This amendment to the children's wellbeing bill proposes introducing an age limit within a year the law is passed.

Although the Labour leadership has not announced its voting intention on the amendment, a number of Labour peers are anticipated to support it irrespective of any instructions from whips.

Among them is former MP Luciana Berger, who has supported Lord Nash's amendment. She argued: “The idea for raising the social media age limit commands widespread backing – across the country and inside the Labour party. Social media is catastrophically harming children and we must act now to shield them.”