Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Johanna Baxter has welcomed plans to ban under-16s from using major social media platforms, saying child protection must come first.
The Labour MP voiced her support after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that children under 16 will be barred from accessing platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X from spring 2027. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be covered by the ban.
Posting on social media, Baxter said: “I warmly welcome this decision. Having looked at the evidence, the impact on children is clear and their protection must be our priority.”
The Prime Minister said the move was designed to improve the safety and wellbeing of children online, describing social media platforms as being designed to be addictive and stating that he was not prepared to compromise on the “safety and happiness” of young people.
Children’s charity Children First also welcomed the announcement.
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, said: “The UK Government’s move to restrict social media for under 16s and tackle live streaming and stranger contact is a welcome indication of the desire to protect children in the face of a national childhood emergency.
“The intention of both the UK and Scottish Governments to reset the digital culture that is causing widespread harm to children and childhood is clear. It must now be matched with the resource and determination needed to realise it.
“Given children are likely to find ways around a ban, they will continue to be harmed unless tech companies are forced to implement changes to ensure their products are safe from the start.
“Both the UK and Scottish governments must hold tech companies to account and drive a comprehensive public health response to digital harm.
“Most importantly, every solution must be shaped by the voices of children and young people themselves. Childhood is being reshaped by technology. Both governments must act now to reclaim it, so every child in Scotland can grow up safe, happy and connected.”
The proposals are expected to be introduced by spring 2027, with further details on age-verification measures due to be set out in the coming months.