Political opinion: Halesowen MP backs social media ban for under 16s

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, 61 MPs ask for Government to implement a minimum age for social media access of 16 years old.

The letter raises concerns about the impact excessive social media use is having on young people, stating: “Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy, and unable to focus on learning. They are not building the social skills needed to thrive, nor having the experiences that will prepare them for adulthood.”

It is understood that many Government Ministers have also privately signalled their support for taking action, as well as Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly doing so last week.

This taps into an issue at the heart of many families’ everyday concerns. Protecting children from the harms of social media is popular, across the political spectrum. Last week, more than 100,000 people wrote to their MPs asking them to support an Australia style under-16 social media ban.

The letter calls for a model similar to that used in Australia, which places the onus on technology companies to prevent under-16s from creating social media accounts.

Alex Ballinger MP says: “I am constantly hearing concerns from parents in Halesowen about the dangers of social media for our young people. Children deserve to grow up safe, confident and free from harm. Right now, social media is exposing too many under-16s to content and pressures that damage their mental health and wellbeing. A ban is about putting children first, not profits.”

Sources suggest that the Government is open to implementing an Australia-style model, with many expecting an imminent announcement.