‘Time to ban under-16s from social media’

YOUNG teenagers should be banned from social media, a Tory MP says.

Former teacher Miriam Cates said she is horrified at the way childhoods are being transformed by new technology that is “not safe” and was “never designed for children”.

Alongside the ban for under-16s, she said the Government should also consider preventing the age group using smartphones altogether.

“The evidence is now overwhelming that children are suffering as a result of smartphones and social media. Parents want action,” the Penistone and Stocksbridge MP said.

Describing smartphones as “really, really addictive devices”, she added: “No ordinary parent can stand up to the likes of Apple, Meta and Tiktok, so government action is required.”

Research for the Family Hubs Network found 78 per cent of adults are concerned about children’s smartphone use, with 57 per cent in favour of a ban for under-16s.

Six out of 10 were worried smartphones put children at greater risk of cyber-bullying. Thirtythe

COMMONS DEBATE: MP Miriam Cates nine per cent were concerned about the risk of mental health problems and 35 per cent worried about youngsters’ access to pornography.

Ms Cates, 41, said: “If you compare a childhood now to a childhood in the 1960s it’s unrecognisable. People say the genie is out of the bottle but these are our children we’re talking about.

“We absolutely have to fight for them and fight for their childhood.”

Ms Cates, a mother of three, said that youngsters are now living in an “online world where everything they say and do and post is judged. That’s not a healthy way to grow up”.

She added: “It makes you anxious, it makes you defensive, it makes you depressed and it makes you isolated.”

The MP has secured a debate on Tuesday where she will urge the Government to take bold action.

Lord Farmer, founder of the Family Hubs Network, said: “Much of the worst of the modern world is too easily available through the click of a button.

“It is good that the Government is finally taking this seriously.”

Policy Exchange think-tank last month published research claiming schools that had a de facto ban on smartphones are “twice as likely to be rated Outstanding”.

A Government spokesman said: “The educational and social benefits of technology are immense but this should not come at the expense of children’s safety or disrupt their learning. Earlier this year we issued guidance on banning smartphones in schools to support teachers and keep schools as a place of learning.

“Our world-leading Online Safety Act will protect children from being exposed to harmful and illegal content online.”

Children are being bombarded with adverts for junk food and energy drinks when they game online, a study has revealed.

Youngsters saw some form of ad or product placement for 52 minutes out of every hour they spent on livestreaming site Twitch.

Gamers ate 37 calories more after seeing ads and were more likely to scoff snacks from a particular brand after being secretly shown a product in a trial. Experts say parents are often unaware of the adverts.