Commons Sense: Jack Rankin on the social media ban for under-16s

This week in their hundreds parents have contacted me from across Windsor calling for one thing – a social media ban for under-16s.

I am instinctively a small-state, pro-freedom MP and the word ‘ban’ usually gets my hackles up. But children are different to adults and if we know something harms children we act.

There are clear links between smartphone and social media use and rising mental health problems in children, including increased referrals and suicide rates.

Parents in Windsor have visited my surgeries and shared disturbing examples of content their children are encountering online- things I wouldn’t want my own two sons, or any child, to see.

The evidence of harm is overwhelming which is why I support both an under-16 social media ban as well as a ban on smartphones in schools.

From the get-go I have raised this issue in Parliament, both as a backbench MP and as part of the Shadow Education team.

Earlier this month, the Conservative Party committed to raising the age of consent on social media to 16.

Shortly afterwards, more than 60 Labour MPs joined calls for the Government to act.

Earlier this week, the House of Lords voted in favour of an under-16 ban through an amendment to the Schools Bill currently making its way through Parliament, with cross-party support.

The government has indicated it will attempt to overturn the amendment in the Commons and instead hold a consultation.

As your Member of Parliament, I will keep up the pressure with colleagues from across the political spectrum.

This isn't about replacing parents - it's about empowering them with culture change.

Ultimately, whilst we must do our bit in Westminster, more importantly, it comes from the ground up.

Please raise this issue in schools and with fellow parents. For those interested in grassroots action, there are fantastic local organisations doing great work.

I recommend Well Windsor which promotes child mental health and mindfulness in schools (hello@wellwindsor.org.uk), or you can get in touch with the local Smartphone Free Childhood Team (sfceastberks@gmail.com).