We Must Go Further on Social Media Safety for Our Children

The Prime Minister’s announcement of a ban on social media for under-16s shows that the Government is finally recognising what parents have been saying for years: the status quo isn’t working.

Families across our area are deeply concerned about harmful content, addictive algorithms, and the impact all of this is having on young people’s wellbeing. They are right to demand action, and it’s welcome that ministers are beginning to listen.

But this can only be a starting point, not the final answer.

A blanket ban risks being a blunt instrument. It doesn’t properly tackle the root causes of harm, the addictive design of platforms and the spread of dangerous content. and it risks letting big tech companies off the hook for the way their systems are built.

If we’re serious about protecting children, we have to go further.

Liberal Democrats have been clear that the responsibility should sit with the platforms themselves. That’s why we are calling for a film-style age rating system for social media, so companies are judged on how safe their platforms actually are. If they want access to younger users, they should have to meet much higher standards.

That would create real incentives for change, forcing tech companies to clean up harmful content and rethink the algorithms that keep young people hooked.

The Government should also be learning from countries like Australia, where there has been a greater willingness to stand up to big tech and demand meaningful reform.

Put simply, parents don’t just want restrictions, they want reassurance. They want to know that when their children go online, they are safe.

This announcement shows progress. But without stronger, smarter regulation, it risks falling short.

We owe it to families to get this right.