Children’s TV star Floella Benjamin calls for under-16s social media ban | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A ban on social media for kids below 16 moved a step nearer final night time, as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs have been urged to hitch forces with Conservatives and alter the regulation. The House of Lords has amended the Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to incorporate a ban, after the measure was backed by friends from all three events together with former youngsters;s tv presenter Floella Benjamin.

Legislation will now be debated within the House of Commons, the place MPs could have an opportunity to delete the modification. But Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott stated: “If Labour are serious about protecting children, they can prove it by voting for this. The legislation is there and the moment is now.” Those backing a ban embody actor Hugh Grant and Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered by two youngsters in 2023.

The Lords modification would require social media corporations to introduce “highly- effective age assurance measures to prevent children under the age of 16 from becoming or being users”. It was backed by Conservatives whereas different supporters included Labour former MP Luciana Berger, now within the Lords, and former Playschool presenter Floella Benjamin, a Liberal Democrat peer.

Lady Benjamin stated: “I strongly believe that children under the age of 16 should not be able to access social media and have social media accounts. This is a necessary measure until the online platforms accept their responsibility, implement stringent safety controls and perform their duties to our children.

“We have given them the opportunities to do so; now is the time for us to act decisively. Each minute we wait, more damage is done to our children’s well-being.”

The Government has introduced it’ll maintain a session which may probably suggest a ban, however Lady Benjamin stated motion was wanted now.

“There is no need for a consultation, which will cause even further delay. We have all the evidence we need; we have to stop this catastrophe now.”

Conservative peer Lord Nash stated social media was inflicting “a health emergency”. He stated: “Since 2016, there has been a 477% increase in children’s contact with mental health services, and eating disorders among 17 to 19 year-olds have risen sixteen-fold. There has been a seven-fold rise in young girls admitted to hospital with eating disorders, and the evidence is clear that there is a strong link between the substantial increase in rates of ADHD, suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm among teenagers with overexposure to social media.”

A Government spokesperson stated: “We will take action to give children a healthier relationship with mobile phones and social media.

“It is important we get this right, which is why we have launched a consultation and will work with experts, parents and young people to ensure we take the best approach, based on evidence.”