Kemi Badenoch doesn’t really need to speak in public more than once a month and she’ll do ok. In that respect, keeping her head down is proving very effective.

Sniping from the sidelines and criticising everyone clearly has merit. 🙃

"Protect our kids from grooming gangs "

Government does something to protect kids..

"No not like that"..

4 minutes ago, only1swanny said:

"Protect our kids from grooming gangs "

Government does something to protect kids..

"No not like that"..

For that mental gymnastic comment alone you should be banned off social media nevermind kids.

Absolute whopper.

9 minutes ago, gonzo said:

For that mental gymnastic comment alone you should be banned off social media nevermind kids.

Absolute whopper.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2025/data-shows-how-criminals-are-using-private-messaging-platforms-to-manipulate-and-groom-children/

There you go,

Huge part of the problem

5 minutes ago, only1swanny said:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2025/data-shows-how-criminals-are-using-private-messaging-platforms-to-manipulate-and-groom-children/

There you go,

Huge part of the problem

Of course it's a problem, nobody is saying otherwise. Just that a blanket ban has its pitfalls. It's all there to debate.

You bringing the grooming gang scandal into it is absolute horseshit.

Probably sounded better in your mind didn't it.

Fucking codswallop.

Grooming gangs have been around for decades.

Probably wasn't much in terms of social media about then.

Greater availability now, but much grooming was done "in person" with kids on the streets etc.

As before, when some parents of victims say don't ban it then there may be something worth looking into.

Of course there are others who want it banned, so it's probably reasonable (like most things) to look at something in between.

I don't know it YouTube is included in this ban, but many of the youth use it to help their studies.

Apparently YouTube kids isn't being banned, but I don't know where these educational type films lie in terms of specific platform.

5 hours ago, Ani said:

I keep hearing that a ban won’t totally solve the problem and lots of kids will find their way round it.

What I am not hearing is any serious ideas of what the Govt can or should be doing now.

Teenager suicide rate up by 50% in last decade. 200 teenagers a year killing themselves every year. Will a ban stop this totally ? No. Might it help reduce the increase ? Who knows but it has to be worth a go, surely all the people protesting to protect our kids will be supporting this.

In general yes. The concern is if these kids get round the controls and still mange to access stuff it may be even more difficult to assess what they're up to, and subsequent difficulties that may follow.

Iirc, it was Molly Russell's father who said don't ban it altogether.

I don't think anyone disagrees with much tighter controls- just make sure they genuinely work, and don't make things worse for some.

With regard to the grooming gangs inquiry, until it is concluded, no one can compare figures. The whole point of the inquiry is that it was covered up. The scale of it is unprecedented. Thousands of cases over more than 20 authorities covered up or not investigated. It won’t be concluded during this government’s tenure that’s for sure.

10 minutes ago, BobyBrno said:

With regard to the grooming gangs inquiry, until it is concluded, no one can compare figures. The whole point of the inquiry is that it was covered up. The scale of it is unprecedented. Thousands of cases over more than 20 authorities covered up or not investigated. It won’t be concluded during this government’s tenure that’s for sure.

I'm not convinced it will ever fulfil its mission.

6 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

I'm not convinced it will ever fulfil its mission.

I’d like to think there are still plenty of decent people in this world who will ensure it does. Maggie Oliver being one outside of the political bubble. I understand your scepticism though the way it’s been handled so far.

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

Of course it's a problem, nobody is saying otherwise. Just that a blanket ban has its pitfalls. It's all there to debate.

I think the Government should say it's a blanket ban, and then put the ball firmly back in the court of big tech. If they prove they can and will police their platforms properly, then they can be removed from the "banned" list....

Edited June 17Jun 17 by Sweep

7 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I think the Government should say it's a blanket ban, and then put the ball firmly back in the court of big tech. If they prive they can and will police their platforms properly, then they can be removed from the "banned" list....

I think Aussie kids are getting round their ban.

Again, all back to how effective it can be.

51 minutes ago, BobyBrno said:

I’d like to think there are still plenty of decent people in this world who will ensure it does. Maggie Oliver being one outside of the political bubble. I understand your scepticism though the way it’s been handled so far.

My concern is people in positions of authority (not necessarily mps) that can still pull levers.

11 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I think the Government should say it's a blanket ban, and then put the ball firmly back in the court of big tech. If they prive they can and will police their platforms properly, then they can be removed from the "banned" list....

Or Mr Starmer uses this to force through his digital identity scheme for every UK adult and child

13 minutes ago, Dimron said:

Or Mr Starmer uses this to force through his digital identity scheme for every UK adult and child

Haha.

Simply can't see that happening now.

Not least because of the cost.

He would be needing yet another defence secretary..

BBC News

Social media ban is punishing the wrong people, teen infl...

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the ban will give children more time, security and freedom to grow up. But how do under-16s feel?

Was going to post this to say getting rid of influencers alone would justify the ban. However there is also a video of parents who have lost their kids on here. They support the ban.

1 hour ago, BobyBrno said:

An oldie but a goldie, you can substitute any football team you want for Labour.

By oldie but a goldie I mean the link not you. You are just an oldie 😂😂😘👍

1 hour ago, Ani said:

BBC News

Social media ban is punishing the wrong people, teen infl...

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the ban will give children more time, security and freedom to grow up. But how do under-16s feel?

Was going to post this to say getting rid of influencers alone would justify the ban. However there is also a video of parents who have lost their kids on here. They support the ban.

BBC News

Molly Russell's dad says under-16 social media ban would...

The online safety campaigner says it is better to enforce current laws than use "sledgehammer" techniques.

BBC News

Molly Russell's dad says rushing social media restriction...

Father of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful content says plans appear to have been brought forward for a "political reason".

Works both ways.

This fella makes the most sense.

Just do the job properly.

I'm not sure it's a good idea (in general) to base policy on the wishes or ideas of bereaved parents

2 hours ago, Ani said:

An oldie but a goldie, you can substitute any football team you want for Labour.

By oldie but a goldie I mean the link not you. You are just an oldie 😂😂😘👍

A bit like going into the Wagon and Horses wearing a Munich shirt 😵‍💫

Not UK politics i know but The European Parliament just voted in favour of the Return Directive which will make it easier to start mass-deport illegal migrants.

5 minutes ago, burnden said:

Not UK politics i know but The European Parliament just voted in favour of the Return Directive which will make it easier to start mass-deport illegal migrants.

Will the dodgy lawyers be licking their lips?

5 minutes ago, burnden said:

Not UK politics i know but The European Parliament just voted in favour of the Return Directive which will make it easier to start mass-deport illegal migrants.

I wonder if Pedro Sanchez knew about this?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy511nln2xvo

3 hours ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm not sure it's a good idea (in general) to base policy on the wishes or ideas of bereaved parents

I agree in general.

This fella has always spoken sensibly about the situation though.

Neither a "don't look back in anger" response or an explosive reaction.

Just thoughtful and measured.

21 hours ago, BobyBrno said:

🎣

Neil Thompson would have been 65 this year. Sir Tim Berners-Lee is 71 ( a good age) both responsible in their own way of allowing stupid people to say stupid things to a much wider audience than they deserve.

And from far flung places where once upon a time “ex pats” would simply have to shout their demented nonsense into an empty desert.