Several Christians are among a group of 61 MPs urging the Government to consider restricting social media access for under-16s.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, MPs encouraged the creation of a similar model to the one recently adopted in Australia, which puts the onus on technology platforms to enforce age restrictions.
“Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy and unable to focus on learning,” the letter said.
The House of Lords backed the ban 261 votes to 150 through an amendment to the Government’s schools bill in January. However, the Government has indicated its intention to overturn that outcome in the Commons.
“The onslaught of social media feeds affect all children and young people,” said MP Ruth Jones, who signed the letter in support of a ban.
“From a Christian perspective, protecting the vulnerable is a core duty,” MP Cat Smith, another signatory, told en. “In my 11 years as an MP, I’ve seen children’s mental wellbeing deteriorate as smartphones and social media have become ubiquitous. Teachers and youth workers in my constituency are clear: unrestricted access to social media is harming learning and fuelling bullying. Allowing children access to platforms that damage their mental health runs directly against the Christian call to love and care for them.”
Elizabeth Harewood, executive officer of the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT), said that Government intervention is something ACT would cautiously support.
“It is encouraging that the Education Secretary has urged schools to ban the use of smartphones at school, but action is also needed beyond the school gate,” she teachers and told en. “As Christian leaders, we believe protecting children is a moral responsibility, and that begins with engaging and supporting families to take action on social media and smartphone use now, whatever policies the Government ultimately adopts.”
