A rare political consensus is forming in the UK, and it spells trouble for Big Tech. Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, has thrown his weight behind a Conservative push to ban social media for children under 16. The move places immense pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon his "wait and see" approach and legislate against the "addictive algorithms" harming British youth.

Burnham’s intervention is significant. As a leading voice of the Labour left, his alignment with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on this issue isolates Downing Street. "I find myself agreeing with Kemi," Burnham admitted on Sunday. "Parents are screaming for help. They cannot fight Silicon Valley alone in their living rooms."

The "Tobacco Moment" for Tech

Proponents of the ban argue that social media should be regulated like alcohol or tobacco. They cite rising rates of teen anxiety, self-harm, and cyberbullying as evidence that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are inherently unsafe for developing brains.

• The Australian Model: Badenoch is championing an age-verification system similar to the one recently passed in Australia. This would force tech giants to verify the age of every user, locking out under-16s entirely.
• The Teachers' Revolt: The NASUWT union has joined the chorus, warning that smartphones are destroying concentration in classrooms. They want legislation that penalizes tech firms for allowing minors on their platforms.
• Starmer’s Dilemma: No 10 is hesitant, fearing a backlash from young voters and the technical difficulty of enforcement. Government sources say they prefer "monitoring" the situation. But with a cross-party coalition building in the House of Lords, the PM may be forced to act.

The End of the Wild West?

The debate has shifted from "if" to "how." The political wind is blowing against the tech giants. If the UK joins Australia, it could trigger a global domino effect, ending the era of unrestricted digital access for children.