As the UK government launches a consultation on a potential social media ban for under-16s, parents and experts are divided on whether the measure will truly protect children from the harms of online platforms.
Liz Kendall, the Labour MP leading the call for the ban, says her constituents are reporting that children are becoming “unhappy” and “anxious” due to social media use. Parent Karen Burke, 55, from Tunbridge Wells, is one of many who would “welcome” such a ban, admitting her 13-year-old daughter is “addicted” to her phone and constantly trying to find ways around restrictions.
“I would love to hold off until she is 18, but it’s hard if her friends all have it,” Burke said. “It’s the pressure of being different from everyone else – they just want to be like their friends.”
However, not all parents are convinced a blanket ban is the right approach. Jodie Lopez, 47, a former primary school teacher, “worries” about the consequences of such a measure, fearing it could “push the problem back” until children turn 16 without addressing the core issues.
“I think suddenly giving children full access at 16 takes the onus off social media companies to deal with the kind of content that causes issues on the platforms,” she said.
David Paton, 48, a father of three and headteacher at Radnor House School in Sevenoaks, supports an Australia-style social media ban as a first step, but believes more needs to be done to educate children on navigating technology.
“I think we need to have a much broader discussion between legislators, educators, and parents about how we are bringing children up today,” Paton said. “Where does technology fit into that? How are we equipping them for the future? I think this ban is a step towards that, but I think it’s the first step of many.”
With opinions divided, the government’s consultation will be closely watched as it seeks to balance protecting children’s wellbeing with the practical realities of social media use in the digital age.
