The Welsh Conservatives have called on the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to make clear whether it will support plans to restrict social media access for under-16s.
The UK Government has announced new measures to prevent children under 16 from using certain social media platforms, with further restrictions on livestreaming, disappearing messages and AI chatbots.
The Welsh Conservatives have long supported action to protect children online, including a manifesto commitment to support a ban on social media for under-16s and ban mobile phones in schools.
Plaid Cymru’s manifesto refers to online safety and restricting smartphones in schools but stops short of clearly backing a wider social media ban for under-16s.
Commenting, Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservatives Shadow Minister for Education and Families said:
“Children in Wales are being exposed to more harmful online content than ever before and parents need support.
“The Welsh Conservatives have been clear from the start. We support stronger protections for children online, we support a ban on social media for under-16s and we want mobile phones out of classrooms so pupils can focus on learning.
“Plaid Cymru now need to be honest with parents. Do they back a proper social media ban for under-16s or are they going to hide behind vague promises about online safety while leaving families and schools to deal with the consequences?
“This is about protecting children and improving standards in Welsh schools. Plaid cannot claim to be serious about children’s wellbeing while refusing to give a clear answer on one of the biggest issues facing young people today.”
