More than sixty Labour Members of Parliament have formally written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to endorse a comprehensive ban on social media access for individuals under the age of sixteen. This significant move comes as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly called on the government to expedite action, describing any delay as a dereliction of duty that is actively harming children's mental wellbeing.
Cross-Party Pressure Intensifies
The correspondence from Labour MPs includes signatures from select committee chairs, former frontbenchers, and representatives from across the party's political spectrum. Organised by Fred Thomas, the Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, the letter articulates a shared concern that children are experiencing heightened anxiety, diminished concentration, and a lack of essential social skills due to prolonged exposure to social media platforms.
Simultaneously, Kemi Badenoch has utilised a platform in the Guardian to challenge the government's current approach. She argues that while the administration has pledged to consult on a potential ban by summer, this timeline is insufficient. Badenoch emphasises that the consensus among campaigners, clinicians, parents, and experts has decisively shifted towards restricting access for under-sixteens.
Legislative Context and Urgent Calls
This mounting pressure coincides with a critical vote in the House of Lords on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The proposed amendment, championed by Conservative peer Lord Nash and supported by crossbench peer Baroness Kidron, seeks to enact a social media ban within one year of the bill's passage. The government, however, is reportedly inclined to await evidence from Australia, where a similar ban was implemented in December.
Badenoch contends that this cautious stance is misguided. "We will not be bought off with vague promises of a 'national conversation' about whether we should get children off these adult platforms," she stated. She further echoed Baroness Kidron's criticism, suggesting the Prime Minister's current strategy "is not leading; it is not governing" but rather represents inaction.
Broader Implications and Public Support
The Conservative leader also posited a broader societal benefit to such a ban. She suggested that by effectively segregating children from adult-oriented digital spaces, it might be possible to relax certain internet restrictions for adults, fostering greater online freedom. "If we stop treating children like adults, we can stop treating adults like children, too," Badenoch wrote.
Public sentiment appears to align with these political demands. A separate letter from campaigners, endorsed by figures including actors Hugh Grant and Sophie Winkleman, as well as Esther Ghey, mother of the late Brianna Ghey, was presented to Parliament. This appeal cited national polling by the charity Parentkind, which found that an overwhelming 93% of parents believe social media is harmful to children and young people.
The campaigners' letter asserted that no other proposed amendment on this issue commands equivalent cross-party support or offers such a prompt mechanism for change. This groundswell of opinion from both political figures and the public underscores the growing urgency surrounding the debate over children's digital welfare and the role of government intervention.
