Celebrities and Campaigners Demand Social Media Ban for Under-16s
In a significant move ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote, prominent figures including actor Hugh Grant and Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, have signed a powerful letter urging Westminster party leaders to implement a ban on social media for children under 16.
Cross-Party Support for Amendment 94a
The letter, addressed to Labour leader Keir Starmer, Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, calls for their backing of amendment 94a to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill. This amendment, which will be voted on by peers in the House of Lords, proposes an outright prohibition on social media access for under-16s. The signatories argue it represents the clearest and most urgent solution to protect young people.
The letter states: “No other amendment to the bill on this topic has the same cross-party support or would deliver promptly the change needed to get children off social media. While well intentioned, they [other amendments] do not send a clear signal that social media is harmful for children, nor do they do as much to support parents.”
Overwhelming Parental Concern
Citing national polling by the charity Parentkind, which found that 93% of parents believe social media is harmful to children and young people, the campaigners emphasise the scale of public demand for action. The letter continues: “Amendment 94a is the most straightforward proposal that meets the scale of the problem and the urgency parents are demanding. This is a moment for leadership. Parents are asking for help and parliament now has a chance to provide it to protect childhood.”
Other notable signatories include actor Sophie Winkleman, adding considerable celebrity weight to the campaign for child online safety.
Parliamentary Showdown and Government Consultation
The amendment, brought by former schools minister Lord Nash, has garnered support from some Labour peers. If passed in the Lords, it would proceed to debate in the Commons, where 61 Labour MPs have already written to the Prime Minister advocating for a ban. Lord Nash declared: “The time for delay and procrastination is over. Without swift action to raise the age limit for social media to 16, we are at risk of a societal catastrophe.”
However, the government has announced a separate consultation on children’s online safety, expected to conclude within a few months, with a firm position promised by summer. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed this would include proposals for overnight curfews and breaks to prevent “doomscrolling,” alongside producing evidence-based guidance for parents on appropriate screen time for children aged five to 16. Guidance for under-fives is anticipated in April.
Criticism of Government Approach
This consultation has faced sharp criticism from campaigners. Film director and technology activist Beeban Kidron, who plans to vote for Nash’s amendment, condemned the announcement as “an insult to parliament” and accused the government of putting party before country. “This hastily pulled together announcement is meant to appease the government’s backbenchers, and rescue it from losing votes in the Lords,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch has indicated that the Conservative party would support a ban for under-16s if in power, highlighting the cross-party nature of the concerns over children’s digital wellbeing.
The upcoming Lords vote represents a pivotal moment in the UK’s approach to regulating social media and safeguarding the mental health and development of its youngest citizens.
