MORE than 60 Labour MPs have called on PM Sir Keir Starmer to impose a ban on under-16s’ access to social media platforms.

In an open letter sent on Sunday, they said that successive governments had failed to “protect young people from… unregulated, addictive social media platforms.”

They urged Sir Keir to implement a similar ban to one Australia passed in December, as several other countries are said to be considering similar laws.

Today National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede said a Lords vote on a cross-party amendment that would implement an Australia-style ban in Britain this week “is a pivotal moment.

“No 10 has already signalled it won’t stand in the way of raising the age from 13 to 16. This was a welcome shift.

“The additional pressure from Labour backbench MPs needs to move Keir Starmer to full support of this amendment to ban social media for under-16s. This cannot be a moment for passivity — it demands leadership.

“Peers now have the chance to draw a clear line. Childhood must come before the interests of Big Tech.”

Education select committee chair Helen Hayes, former education minister Catherine McKinnell, and Socialist Campaign Group secretary Richard Burgon are among the letter’s 61 signatories.

It read: “Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy and unable to focus on learning. 

“They are not building the social skills needed to thrive, nor having the experience that will prepare them for adulthood.”

Teachers’ union NASUWT and the Tories have also backed the proposed ban.

Sir Keir has said that “all options are on the table.”