Kate Alessi, managing director and vice-president of Google UK and Ireland, told the Press Association the tech giant – which owns YouTube – is not supportive of “blanket bans” as the Government faces mounting calls to stop children having access to social media. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled at the weekend he was prepared to take action to curb features that keep young people addicted to social media, with the Government currently consulting on an outright ban for under-16s. Ms Alessi said Google does not agree with the verdict and plans to appeal. She said a social media ban is not the answer to children’s online wellbeing and cautioned if countries such as the UK followed the lead of Australia, which introduced a world-first social media ban for under-16s in December, it could have unintended consequences. The comments come as Google announced its latest community programme to boost artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge and skills to help Britons progress professionally.

Source: The Herald March 31, 2026 11:14 UTC