Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has admitted that the impending social media ban for under-16s will not be sufficient on its own to tackle youth violence in the capital. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) during a visit to Tottenham Hotspur's training ground in Enfield, Khan emphasised the need for a broader strategy that includes teaching critical thinking and fostering empathy among young people.
The government recently announced that children under 16 will be barred from platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram starting next year. Khan, a long-time advocate for the ban, stressed that while it is a crucial step, it must be accompanied by other measures to ensure young Londoners become "good active citizens."
Beyond the Ban: Building Resilience
"In addition to the social media ban, we've got to be teaching young people how to critically think for themselves, how to test the veracity of what's on social media, how to challenge what's on it, but also just to explain to young people and others the consequences of their actions," Khan said. He added that young people are "bombarded with all sorts of images" and that "algorithms work against positivity," making it essential to equip them with skills to navigate the digital world safely.
The Mayor's comments come as City Hall invests an additional £1.5 million in "diversionary" activities during the summer holidays, a period when Khan says young Londoners are "particularly vulnerable to exploitation and crime." This funding builds on previous investments, including £100 million for youth programmes, 550,000 positive opportunities, and 130,000 young people with mentors.
Premier League Partnership: Football as a Hook
The new funding will support collaborations between the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and the Premier League Foundation, along with 11 professional London football club charities. The initiative aims to provide hundreds of activities, including football sessions, to keep young people safe and engaged during the summer break.
VRU Director Lib Peck noted that during school holidays, vulnerable youngsters lose the "safety and structure that school provides." Alex White, Chief Executive of the Premier League Foundation, explained: "We're working with the VRU to try to help divert young people away from the risks of crime and criminal behaviour by using the power of football and the power of sport, to create positive opportunities, to help improve lives, and to strengthen communities."
White highlighted that football is an "incredibly powerful tool" and that the club badge "works very well to get people through the door," but acknowledged that "it may not be football for everybody." The goal is to create safe spaces with trusted adults and positive role models, where young people can have conversations and discover opportunities relevant to their interests.
Tackling NEETs: Devolution as a Game-Changer
Khan also addressed the issue of young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs). He welcomed the government's recent devolution announcement, which will give mayors more control over post-16 education. "We've got a real opportunity now to really support young people who are not in employment, education, and training," he said, adding that local leaders understand their communities better than Whitehall civil servants.
Khan expressed optimism about the new government's direction, stating: "I speak to too many Londoners in Lewisham who feel as disconnected to Whitehall as those in Liverpool and Leeds. I meet people in Newham who feel as disconnected to Whitehall as those in Newcastle and Nottingham. That's why I welcome the direction of travel from the new government."
With these combined efforts, Khan reiterated his ambition: "I want London to be the safest and best place to grow up for a young person anywhere in the world."
