Comment: Protecting our children from online harm

By Jess Brown-Fuller

Hundreds of concerned families have been in touch with me over recent weeks to call for a social media ban for under 16s, using Australia’s recent move to restrict social media as the example. It’s a debate and a conversation that I’m very alive to; with two children of my own, including one who is approaching the teenage years, the prevalence of screens in our household and the addictive nature of shorts on YouTube is a regular conversation with my husband and children.

I too am guilty of it; reaching for my phone at the end of the day to decompress rather than the book on the bedside table is a habit I fall back into all too often. The impacts on young people are becoming clearer with further studies into the impact of screen time on our children’s health, education and relationships.

I also recognise that screens are a part of family life now, and the argument is not whether they should be used, but how they can be used well.

Jess Brown-Fuller asking Government to support Liberal Democrat propsals for age-rating system

It is because of this that the Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, calling for a film-like rating system to be imposed by the Government on all user-to-user platforms. Our position has been clear: a platform which spreads harmful content or relies on addictive and harmful algorithms should not be allowed anywhere near our children. But we are also clear that there are exceptions to this, and that an outright ban would bring complications.

Our policy will mean that children can still use Wikipedia for learning and can access online forums such as those run by Childline. What it will ensure is that platforms which treat children like data to be mined, rather than young people to be protected, will be made to think twice. Our legislation will provide incentives for these companies to remove addictive algorithmic features and harmful content that keep children hooked for hours, to achieve a lower age rating, which would be under constant review.

It is also a system that can be continually updated and reformed. We are currently clear that social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook would be classified as unsuitable for under-16s. However, the opportunity will be there for these platforms to take steps to change this. We also consider an 18+ rating for platforms that display adult content, such as X.

This is a pivotal juncture and an opportunity where strong leadership is needed to protect future generations. We have had enough time to learn and reflect; now we need action. Action that will hold tech companies to account for their harmful content and their recklessness regarding our children.

The government has announced a consultation into social media use for under 16s and I hope constituents will continue to engage with me, as well as young people who these decisions impact.