Conservative leader backs Australian-inspired policy to stop platforms ‘profiting from their anxiety’

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The Conservatives are backing a ban on social media for under-16s in an attempt to prevent addictive platforms fuelling anxiety and distraction among teenagers.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said she did not like the word ban but she wanted to see an age limit of 16 in the same way that Australia had introduced restrictions on social media for children.