Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs taking action to limit children’s social media use carries “risks” whatever the approach but promised the Government “will act robustly”
Singer Peter Andre and actors Hugh Grant and Sophie Wilkinson have called for a social media ban for under 16s to be brought in without “delay”.
Ministers yesterday launched a swift three-month consultation on whether to bring in a minimum age for social media use as well as other measures like phone curfews or restrictions on addictive apps.
But the celebrities along with charities and bereaved parents, including Esther Ghey, the mum of murdered teen Brianna, called on peers to support a vote in the House of Lords today preventing children under 16 from going on social media.
In a letter to Keir Starmer, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, they asked the party leaders to urge their members to support an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools bill that would introduce a ban.
READ MORE: Children in UK face social media ban, addictive app restrictions and tough Ofsted phone checks
They said many parents “feel enormous pressure to provide smartphones or are unable to prevent their children accessing platforms designed for adults”, continuing: “Parents are in an impossible position, and they are looking for leadership from Westminster. Today is the day you can act to help them.
“The safeguarding of children is an issue that must always rise above politics. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill offers a real chance to protect childhood and support parents with clear, practical measures. We must act now, and not delay.”
Other signatories of the letter include author Dr Emily MacDonagh, Parentkind’s Frank Young, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede and Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts.
It comes after more than 60 Labour MPs wrote to Mr Starmer urged him to ban social media for under 16s after Australia brought in a ban last month.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall yesterday told MPs taking action to limit children’s social media use carries “risks” whatever the approach but she promised the Government “will act robustly”.
He said: “Many people, including in this House, are strongly in favour of a ban on social media for under 16s as the best and clearest way forward for protecting children and stopping both acute and chronic online harms. They want action now.
“But others take a different view, saying they worry about letting online platforms off the hook, that a ban would simply push harms further underground, and above all, that it could stop children from using the positives of social media, like connecting with like-minded people, finding those who love in the same way and love the same things, and getting peer support and trusted advice.
“There are clearly risks in all these different approaches, which is why I believe a proper consultation and promoting a national conversation, especially with the public, is the right and responsible way forward.
“But I want to make one thing crystal clear – the question is not whether the Government will take further action. We will act robustly.”
Full list of signatories:
Hugh Grant & Sophie Winkleman, Patrons, Close Screens Open Minds
Peter Andre, Singer and media personality
Dr Emily MacDonagh, Doctor and Author
Frank Young, Chief Policy Officer, Parentkind
Anna Grant & Arlene Carruthers, Founders, Close Screens Open Minds
Justine Roberts, Founder and Exec Chair, Mumsnet
Esther Ghey, Brianna Ghey Legacy Project
Ellen Roome MBE, Online Safety Campaigner & Bereaved Parent
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, National Education Union
Jennifer Powers, Founder, Unplugged Coalition
Dr Rebecca Foljambe & Arabella Skinner, NHS GP and Founder & Director of Policy, Health Professionals for Safer Screens
Molly Kingsley & Jane Rowland, Founders, SafeScreens
Pete Montgomery & Will Orr-Ewing, Directors, Generation Alpha CIC
Dr Susie Davies, PAPAYA (Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents)
Jess Butcher MBE, CEO, ScrollAware
Paul Wright, CEO, Alliance4Children