Swinney backs online safety push for children but stops short of age ban

Scotland’s First Minister has backed a drive for greater online safety for children, but stopped short of supporting calls for an under-16 social media ban.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is the latest person to call for a ban, saying on Sunday the internet was the “wild west” and age limits should be brought in.

Speaking to the Press Association on Monday, John Swinney accepted there were “many strengths” to social media, but also “many risks and threats”.

“I think what this debate is prompting, and what I feel as the parent of a teenage son, which I know is discussed by me with other parents of teenagers, is the importance of making sure they are at all times safe,” he said.

“And there is a need I think for us to consider all of these issues and where I agree with Kemi Badenoch is there is a need for politicians to work collaboratively to find a way through all of this.

“Because the risks are significant, the opportunities and the benefits are also significant but we have got to make sure we create a safe environment for all children and young people, and that should underpin the discussions we take forward.”

The First Minister added that any such changes would be in the power of the UK Government, but ministers in Scotland would work with them on any provisions.

He said: “This is an issue that is regulated by the United Kingdom Government but we would be happy to participate in discussions about how we can make sure children are kept safe online.

“We do a significant amount of work in the education system to enable that to be the case but, if there is a need for regulatory action, that would have to be taken at United Kingdom Government level and the Scottish Government would be willing participants in that process, to make sure we get the right balance between keeping children safe online and enabling them to be connected.”