A message from Nick Timothy MP:
Thank you for taking part in my survey about social media use by under-16s.
The results show that a large majority of those who responded (70 per cent) support restricting social media use for children, and that parents are particularly worried about strangers being able to contact children via social media, online bullying and the well-documented negative mental health impacts.
This is Conservative policy, and the House of Lords has now passed a proposal to enact such a ban. I hope Keir Starmer grows a backbone and follows suit. If you would still like to take part in the survey, please click here.
Best wishes
Nick Timothy MP
- The question: “Do you have concerns that children being on social media is damaging or threatening to them?”: 67 per cent of those who responded said they had serious concerns and 24 per cent said they were somewhat concerned. The total showing some kind of concern was 91 per cent.
Respondents were also able to give further comments on this topic. A selection of these is below.
“Because iphones are highly addictive, it is imperative that adults impose controls on their use by children and teenagers. We need to bring back childhood pursuits from the past – cycling around the neighbourhood, reading, playing actual physical games.”
“Social media and its associated technology are turning children into zombies who cannot hold a conversation, read books or have original thoughts for themselves.”
“We have three children with a big age gap between the eldest and the youngest. Our two eldest (now young adults) have both suffered because of social media, one developed serious mental health concerns including self harm and still struggles now with the pressures of what she perceives life should be according to social media. Our other eldest has continually been added to groups on social media aimed at disrespecting women and encouraging foul behaviours towards them. Even when blocking and deleting, they still keep happening. Our youngest has now just got a new phone and we have seen the dangers that social media has so he will not be allowed it, he in his final year at primary school and already getting teased for not having social media!”
2. The question:“If you are concerned, which of the following worry you about children being on social media?” (Tick all that apply). The top three answers were: 1) strangers being able to contact children. 2) online bullying and 3) negative impact on mental health.
3. This question: “Do you support restricting access to social media for under-16s?” 70 per cent supported restricting access as against 16 per cent who did not.
Respondents were also able to give further comments on this topic. A selection of these is below.
“These children are very vulnerable and likely to believe all they see without checking the authenticity as they could have with a book form of learning.”
“Even if parents control their own children’s access, other parents may not do the same. 12 – 16 year olds should be able to socialise together without risk of exposure to harmful online content.”
“We try to enforce it in our home but it’s a societal norm which makes children not understand why we want to stop it.”
“It would be the best decision to make. I would like to see it extended for all under 18’s as 16 is such a vulnerable age where teenagers are trying to navigate entering adulthood and focussing on exams.”
“Young people will always find ways around restrictions, and a ban risks pushing activity out of sight rather than making it safer. We should focus on teaching young people how to be resilient, independent, and safe online, including how to recognise, report, and manage bullying. Social media is part of modern life, and education is more effective than prohibition. Greater responsibility should sit with the large social media companies. If they can instantly block users because of age, they also have the ability to prevent harmful content and deal with bullying more effectively. The issue is not technology, but accountability.”
“It is not down to the government to manage online activity for under 16’s. It is up to the parents to decide how much exposure they receive and equally their responsibility to monitor how this affects them. In this modern age, social media runs EVERYTHING. Restricting a young person would be unfair.”
