Tories would ban under-16s from social media, party says

The Conservative party says it would ban under-16s from social media and would ban phones in schools, citing concerns about young people’s mental health and concentration. Kemi Badenoch is set to discuss the proposal on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme.

The Conservative party has proposed banning under-16s from social media if it returns to government. Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said phones would be banned in schools under the plan. The proposal is framed as a response to concerns about young people's mental health and ability to concentrate. Labour has said nothing is off the table but has urged that any ban be based on robust evidence. Key points: - The Conservatives announced a policy proposal to bar under-16s from accessing social media platforms if they form government. - Kemi Badenoch said the plan would also include bans on phones in schools and calls for age-verification checks by platforms. - Australia recently introduced a similar ban for under-16s, and several other countries are reported to be considering related measures. - Labour has not ruled the idea out but has called for robust evidence, and Badenoch is due to appear on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme to discuss details. Summary: The announcement sets out a clear policy proposal by the Conservative party and frames it as a response to concerns about young people's wellbeing and school concentration. The immediate next public step is Kemi Badenoch's scheduled interview on the BBC Sunday Politics programme to address the plan; legislative or regulatory steps are not specified.