UNDER-16S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN ANNOUNCEMENT

I’ve been campaigning for stronger protections for children online for many years, so I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, recognise that work in Parliament yesterday.

These proposals to ban social media platforms from offering their services to under-16s, alongside stronger protections against harmful online features, mark an important step towards creating a safer digital world that puts children’s wellbeing first.

This progress would not have been possible without the tireless campaigning of bereaved parents and families who have turned unimaginable loss into a determination to protect other children from harm online.

For too long, the burden has fallen on parents and children rather than on technology companies. We need an online environment where children’s safety comes before platforms’ profits.

There is still more to do, but I welcome this commitment to giving children the protections they deserve.

Watch the clip below.