Regular Tele readers may note that I return to the topic of young people’s social media use often, and they would be right.
Every time I speak to young people, families and educators across Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West, I hear the same concerns about the impact of the online world.
Earlier this year, I ran a local consultation event and launched a survey to hear directly from parents and guardians about this subject to understand both the benefits and the risks experienced online.
The message I heard was consistent - while the internet can be a positive space, too many parents feel they are fighting a losing battle to keep their children safe.
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That’s why I welcome the Government’s announcement earlier this week to better protect young people online. These include a ban on social media platforms offering services to under-16s, alongside stronger restrictions on harmful features like live-streaming and contact from strangers.
Taken together, these measures aim to tackle not just where harm happens online, but how it happens.
The feedback I gathered locally reflects what’s been seen across the country.
Nationally, 90 per cent of parents support a minimum age of 16 for social media, while 93 per cent are worried about their children being contacted by strangers online.
These are not abstract concerns. They mirror exactly what parents told me in my survey and at my consultation event. In my survey, parents and guardians averaged 9/10 in concern about children’s social media use, where 10 represented the highest level of concern.
Young people themselves were equally clear in the national consultation – 66 per cent of children and young people support a minimum age of 16 for at least some platforms. I have heard from local young people in our schools that, while social media helps them stay connected, they recognise the risks and pressures it can create.
I have also heard repeatedly across all ages about the addictive nature of social media design. I know that features such infinite scrolling and constant notifications keep us all online longer than we often intend to be.
For too long, the burden to tackle these issues has fallen on parents, guardians and young people themselves rather than the companies designing these platforms.
I will continue working closely with local families, schools and youth people as these changes move forward.
Ultimately, this is about giving children the freedom to be kids again, while making sure parents and guardians feel supported every step of the way.
If you have any questions, please do feel free to get in touch – martin.mccluskey.mp@parliament.uk.
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