Ministers are discussing new plans to give parents greater control

TEENS face restrictions over their social media use as part of a major crackdown – but they aren’t set to be banned.

A new plan to bolster online safety laws for under-16s is being considered with evidence-gathering on its impact taking place as early as the New Year.

Parents could be given more control over teenager's social media use

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Parents could be given more control over teenager’s social media useCredit: Alamy

Oliver Dowden revealed he didn’t want to reach for the “lever of banning” in an interview on Sunday with Sky News.

The moves could mean teenagers needing their parents’ permission before they set up an account on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Whitehall insiders have rowed back on reports that under-16s face a ban from using the popular sites.

When asked about any changes, Mr Dowden said: “You’ll have to wait for announcements in that area. I don’t think we’ve actually made a formal policy announcement.”

“What I do think, and I saw this when I was digital secretary, and I see it speaking to my constituents and elsewhere, there’s a real worry from parents about how they can protect their children from the harms of social media.

“Now, of course, as a Conservative, I don’t want to reach for a lever of banning, but we need to look at how we can protect children online, and I think any reasonable government should do that.”

And a Whitehall insider said: “From our point of view, we’re looking at ways to empower parents rather than crack down on anything in particular.

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“We’ve identified that there is a gap in research so we’ll be looking at what more research into it needs to be done, but nothing is yet signed off by ministers.”

Any changes would be on top of the recent Online Safety Act where social media firms shield children from harmful content.

If they fail to meet the required standard, they face fines of up to 10 per cent of the company’s global revenue.

From our point of view, we’re looking at ways to empower parents rather than crack down on anything in particular.

“We’ve identified that there is a gap in research so we’ll be looking at what more research into it needs to be done, but nothing is yet signed off by ministers.”

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The family of Molly Russell – who killed herself aged 14 after viewing harmful – said any upcoming review should give more power to the regulator Ofcom.

Andy Burrows, an adviser to the foundation, said: “The emphasis should firmly be on strengthening the regulator’s hand to ensure platforms are no longer awash with a set of avoidable dangers.”

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk

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