I fully support banning smartphones in schools and raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.
I am very pleased that the Opposition has forced the Government to listen to schools and parents and introduce a ban on mobile phones in schools by law. This is the right step for behaviour, concentration and wellbeing at school.
Getting children off social media is another important step towards protecting childhood. The Government previously said a social media ban was not something it was considering. Labour MPs voted multiple times to block action. I am relieved that, after much hard work from bereaved parents, health professionals, teachers, children and parliamentarians, the Government has finally announced that it will impose age restrictions on social media for children under 16.
There is clear evidence that social media platforms and their algorithms are exposing young people to extreme content, including pornography, violence, knife crime and sextortion, every single day. It is affecting wellbeing, behaviour and attainment and is sadly the norm, not the exception.
There are parents who understand all too painfully the harms of social media, having tragically lost their children as a result. Their courage in sharing the stories of their children and continuing to fight for other people's children is why my colleagues and I refused to accept the Government's attempts to delay and avoid action in Parliament.
Other countries are increasingly recognising the harms associated with social media and are beginning to take stronger action to protect children. The UK must not fall behind, as it is our children who will pay the price. It is right that the Prime Minister has finally matched his rhetoric on the dangers of social media with action.
I absolutely agree that the Government must ensure the ban is robust and effectively enforced. Sadly, we have already sleepwalked into a situation where too many children are exposed to highly addictive, carefully engineered platforms, with clear consequences for mental health, sleep, attention, and development. Parents cannot take on global technology companies on their own. Protecting children where families cannot reasonably do so alone is one of the most basic responsibilities of government. Banning social media sends a clear message about what is and is not safe for our children.
The Government has said that it is considering further default overnight and addictive feature restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds and is expected to provide an update on this in July. I will closely consider any proposals, and I look forward to examining the full detail of the ban once it is published.
I will be closely examining the detail of the ban when it is published and will continue working alongside my colleagues to ensure that children really are protected in the online world.
