Two grieving mothers have made an impassioned plea for a social media ban for children under 16 during a powerful and emotional segment on BBC Breakfast. Lauren LaFave and Lisa Kenevan spoke to presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent on the morning of 20 January 2026, sharing their devastating stories of loss linked to online dangers.
A Desperate Plea for Change
Sally Nugent introduced the difficult topic, acknowledging the immense courage of the parents using their voices to drive change. The discussion followed reports that the Government is considering a UK-wide social media ban for under-16s, a move both mothers strongly support.
Lisa Kenevan, whose son Isaac died during an online challenge, expressed her frustration that the issue of online safety had been "dragging on for so long." She described a wave of parental anger that has "ricocheted around the country."
"I feel that our voices are finally being heard," Lisa stated, insisting that under-16s should not have access to social media platforms. "I'm not a fan of having bans, but we're in desperate times now. This is a worldwide crisis... We have to do something."
The Devastating Impact on Childhood and Schools
Lisa painted a stark picture of the impact on education, claiming teachers are "on their knees" and acting more like social workers than educators. "The generation that is coming up now, they don't have a childhood," she warned, arguing that a ban, while initially difficult like removing fast food, would eventually become the healthier norm.
Lauren LaFave, whose son Breck was groomed and killed via video games, spoke of her relief that a government consultation is now happening. She had met with Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, just the day before the broadcast.
Lauren strongly advocated for phone-free schools, endorsing Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's view that mobiles have no place in the classroom. "It puts everyone on an equal playing field... school will be so much more engaging that way," she said, emphasising the need for face-to-face interaction and a break from online pressures.
Seeking Balance, Not Punishment
Both mothers stressed their goal was safety, not punishment. "I'd never want to take away technology from children, I want them to use it safely," Lauren explained. "It's the balance and the safety, and there isn't a balance nowadays... We've just given them too much too soon and it's hard to backtrack."
Heartbreakingly, Lauren noted their support group for bereaved families continues to grow with "new versions of what can go wrong." "We don't want our group to grow," she said. "We want our children's stories to make change for the future."
Their calls come as the government plans a consultation on the potential ban. Proposed immediate action includes granting Ofsted powers to inspect school phone use policies, with an expectation that schools become "phone-free by default." This move would follow Australia's pioneering social media ban, which took effect in December 2025.
