Tony Vaughan MP
Labour MP for Folestone and HytheFollowing a debate he led last week, Tony Vaughan highlights the harmful impact of social media on young people, calling for stricter regulations, a minimum age of 16 for social media use, and wider adoption of smartphone bans in schools to protect children’s wellbeing.
Social media is having a negative effect on children in this country. I know this both as the father of two boys and from speaking to teachers, parents, and those working with young people who witness its effects daily. Social media is increasingly associated with bullying, mental health problems, radicalisation, and even suicide. Paedophiles are targeting children while posing as their peers.
It is a fact that social media algorithms push extreme and unsuitable content onto our young people. A recent study found that TikTok’s algorithm was 4,343% more likely to show “toxic eating disorder” content to users already vulnerable to such issues. Tragically, we have seen cases where children as young as 14 have taken their own lives after viewing suicide forums or engaging in dangerous “challenges”. So-called “influencers” promote views about women that belong in the Middle Ages. Victims of school bullying find they no longer have an escape at home.
The Online Safety Act, passed under the previous Government, aims to tighten the rules in what is currently a Wild West for young people. Social media companies must introduce robust age verification systems and implement key measures such as ID-based verification. However, it remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in combatting online harms.
I led a debate in Parliament last week on a petition calling for a minimum age of 16 to use social media. The petition was signed by almost 130,000 people nationwide, reflecting polling that shows 74% of British adults agree with this proposal. I was heartened to hear that the Government is leaving all options on the table. They acknowledge that the Online Safety Act is not the sum total of what needs to be done. Speakers from all parties agreed that the status quo cannot continue.
One change that many local areas around the country are implementing is banning smartphones in schools. John Wallis Academy in Ashford has recently taken this step. I conducted a straw poll on Facebook, asking local people whether they thought smartphones should be banned in schools in our area. Out of an incredible 1,985 responses, 1,471 (75%) agreed.
I will certainly be raising this issue with local headteachers, who have the power to act. This is not about being anti-tech or restricting independence; it is about creating space for children to be children. Social media crowds out other activities that are beneficial for young people. If we truly care about their wellbeing, something needs to change.
Final Thought: We Need a Holistic Approach To Online Safety By Chamber UK Editor
The issues raised in this opinion piece by Tony Vaughan MP are critical as they highlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect young people from the harms of social media.
The evidence of rising mental health concerns, online bullying, radicalisation, and predatory behaviour underscores the necessity for a more proactive regulatory approach. At a national level, calls are increasing for the UK Government to ensure that the Online Safety Act is effectively enforced, with robust age verification and accountability measures for tech companies. At the local level, schools and education authorities should consider policies such as smartphone bans to create healthier learning environments. Internationally, the UK can take a leadership role in advocating for greater online child protection, working with other governments and regulatory bodies to establish common standards.
This issue also highlights the need for improved digital literacy education, empowering children and parents to navigate online spaces safely. Policymakers at all levels must recognise that legislative action alone is not enough; a holistic approach involving regulation, education, and industry responsibility is required to ensure that social media supports, rather than harms, young people.
