I welcome the news that social media is to be banned for under-16s.
Over the last few months, I have been asking for your views on this. I want to thank all those who have contacted me to share their thoughts. I began my consultation with an open mind and ran a public survey asking whether there should be a ban on social media access for under-16s.
I have spoken to young people in primary school classrooms and in one-to-one conversations with 11 to 16 year olds. They were overwhelmingly opposed to the ban, describing social media as central to how they socialise with friends and stay in touch with family. But the Department for Education recently found that despite being the most digitally connected generation, many young people report high levels of loneliness.
All of the young people I spoke to said they had come across material online that they would rather not have seen. I have heard horrific stories about some of the content children have been exposed to on social media.
Teachers across Bassetlaw offered a clear warning about the impact of social media on children and schools. They view this as a crisis and described the decline in children’s communication skills. Disputes that begin online are being brought into school, and bullying can now follow children into their homes.
I recognise that a ban on social media access for under-16s will be challenging to introduce. I believe it can only work if it is matched by significant investment in alternatives for young people, such as in sports and the arts. Organised youth groups, such as the scouts, brownies and cadets, need support to expand.
That is why I welcome the announcement yesterday that the Government will invest an extra £132.5 million for after-school clubs. But we need to go further. We need to ensure children have an alternative to sitting in their bedrooms endlessly scrolling on their phones.
It is important that we get this right. I will be watching closely as the detail of this policy is unveiled in the coming weeks and months.
Jo White MP
