As the leader of the Conservative party, I firmly believe that banning social media for children under the age of 16 is the right thing to do. For too long, we have allowed our young people to be exposed to the harmful content that pervades these adult-oriented platforms, including violence, pornography, and extremist material.
The evidence is clear – this exposure is linked to rising anxiety, poor sleep, reduced concentration, and broader impacts on behaviour and education. As a parent myself, I know that children’s brains are still developing, and their impulse control, emotional regulation, and risk assessment abilities are not on par with adults. We have age limits and safeguarding measures in place for many other areas of life, so it’s time we applied the same logic to the online world.
The Conservative party is the first in Britain to support this ban, recognising that parents are best placed to raise their own children. However, we also acknowledge that no parent can be omniscient, and children will inevitably find ways to circumvent restrictions. That’s why the vast majority of parents support this measure, even if it will be challenging to implement.
This issue is not just about health and wellbeing – it’s also an economic concern. A generation that struggles to concentrate will find it harder to study and build the companies, armed forces, and public services of the future. By restricting social media for children, we can not only protect them, but also give more freedom to adults online, without the need to constantly censor content for young audiences.
The consensus on this issue is remarkably wide, with campaigners, clinicians, parents, and experts all aligned. Even 61 Labour MPs have urged their own leadership to support action. Yet, true to form, Keir Starmer and his Labour government have done little more than announce another consultation, kicking the can down the road.
The time for action is now. The House of Lords will vote on measures to get children off adult social media platforms today, and I am proud that it is the Conservative party leading this change. Putting our children’s mental health first is the right thing to do, and I call on the government to stop delaying and get on with it.
