The motion calls for a review of current legislation, noting that despite the Online Safety Act's noble aims, it is failing to protect children from harmful online content. The speaker emphasises the need for robust legislative backing to ensure platforms comply with regulations aimed at reducing harm.

During a local consultation, 78% of constituents agreed that social media should be banned for under-16s due to concerns about its impact on young people's wellbeing. The speaker seeks clarification from the lead MP on whether he agrees with consulting further to determine the best option for protecting children.

I congratulate the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire on securing the debate and I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting it. Facing harm online is one of the biggest struggles that our young people face daily, from toxic influencers trying to push a certain way of life or ideology to those who encourage eating disorders. However, social harms extend a long way beyond that, from aggressive algorithms designed so that young people get addicted and trapped online, to forums encouraging self-harm and suicide. There is disagreement about whether an absolute social media ban for the under-16s is the right answer. Should we have a more nuanced approach where we look at a wider range of issues such as the architecture of social media platforms? Following the consultation, the Government must design any proposed policy alongside young people. The links between young people using social media and increasing levels of loneliness and poor mental health are well documented. We have a youth mental health crisis, with nearly one in five children aged eight to 16 having a probable mental health disorder.

I congratulate the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire on securing the debate and I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting it. Earlier this month, I chaired a roundtable with the Mental Health Foundation to look at the evidence about the banning of social media for under-16s. We heard from mental health experts, affected parents, the Minister and young people themselves. While views on “how” we should protect young people are diverse, the consensus on the “now” was absolute. There is disagreement about whether an absolute social media ban for the under-16s is the right answer. Should we have a more nuanced approach where we look at a wider range of issues such as the architecture of social media platforms? Following the consultation, the Government must design any proposed policy alongside young people. We will not find an effective solution without including the young people who operate in this world and who are most affected, and we must look to social media companies to start getting their act together and protecting people.

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire on securing this debate, and I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting it. There is no shortage of online harms demanding our attention. I have spoken before about children buying illegal drugs that are openly advertised on social media, the flood of harmful eating disorder content reaching young people, and Ofcom not holding social media companies to account, although it has increased powers to do so under the Online Safety Act. Today, though, I want to focus on another deeply disturbing trend. Men are secretly filming women on nights out and profiting by posting the videos online. These accounts mask themselves as “nightlife content” or “walking tours”, but the videos tell a completely different story; they fixate on women in dresses and skirts, often filmed from behind and from low or intrusive angles. This vile practice has victims, and the impact is real. Women who have been filmed in this way say that they no longer feel safe to go out; they feel watched, exposed, vulnerable, distressed and harassed.

Online harms are systemic, scaled, and producing real-world consequences. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's consultation, 81% of 10 to 12-year-olds are on social media, and 70% of 13 to 17-year-olds see real-world violence online. Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore from the University of Cambridge stated that adolescent brains are highly sensitive to the social environment, making them vulnerable to harmful content. The National Education Union’s “Big Tech’s Little Victims” study found harmful content appears within three minutes on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Sullivan emphasised the need for a suite of measures rather than banning children from social media.

The hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton North welcomed the Online Safety Act as a crucial piece of legislation to mitigate online harms, especially misinformation and disinformation, child protection, and antisemitism online. She emphasised the need for constant adaptation due to technological advancements and the evolving nature of digital spaces. The MP highlighted issues such as the weaponisation of platforms for spreading harmful narratives, the impact of TACSA on children's safety, and the rise in antisemitic rhetoric online.

Social media has amplified extreme behaviour, especially among young people in constituencies like Cowdenbeath. Apps such as Snapchat contribute to bullying between schoolchildren. Radical groups profit from recruiting online, posing real threats to democracy and community safety. Ofcom's slow response to harmful sites is unacceptable, with two more deaths linked to one site since the illegal harms code was introduced last year.

Supports Melanie Ward's call for a ban on social media for under-16s. Recent discussions with young people at Newcastle academy indicate they would feel safer with such a ban in place.

I have been very impressed by the speeches in this debate. I want to discuss two aspects: a case involving my constituent Olly Stephens who was killed due to online bullying and the ongoing issues of social media regulation despite the Online Safety Act not being law at the time of his death. The attack on Olly involved images of knives shared across 11 different social media platforms, none of which took action against this harmful content. Stuart and Amanda Stephens, Olly's parents, are now campaigners highlighting the dangers of online bullying and social media addiction among young people. I also address the issue of supporting vulnerable young people who face repetitive exposure to harmful content through algorithms on social media. While there is a case for banning social media for under-16s, as my colleague mentioned, practical challenges must be considered. I urge the Minister to provide early indications from the Government’s consultation on this matter and to consider taking actions further than other countries have done to protect young people.

I am convinced of the need for a social media ban. I welcome the Leader of the Opposition’s stance on this issue. To support parents, schools and communities can establish parameters for social media usage, including time limits and specific apps/sites that are permissible, thus ensuring that children's social media use is controlled within a wider community framework.

Paul Waugh stated that social media platforms are profiting from hatred and called for stronger regulations against such content. He mentioned the casual antisemitism and misogyny in the 'manosphere' as being deeply concerning, emphasising the responsibility of tech companies like X and Meta to address these issues. He also praised the government's efforts in safeguarding children online through measures such as age-based bans and media literacy action plans.

Highlighted the complexity of regulating social media, mentioning various issues such as addictive algorithms, underage access to inappropriate content, non-consensual image editing, financial scams, and medical misinformation. Emphasised concerns over unregulated AI chatbots providing potentially dangerous advice for mental health and lifestyle choices. Advocated for age ratings similar to films and video games for harmful social media platforms to protect children while supporting the development of safer online spaces. Criticised a complete ban on social media as overly restrictive, noting it would prevent beneficial use by children and families. Called for intelligent, proactive regulation based on principles rather than reactive measures.

Congratulates the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire on securing the debate; highlights the importance of tackling online harms, particularly concerning young people and adults; praises the steps taken by the official Opposition in government to make the online environment safer through measures such as the Online Safety Act and amendments to the Sexual Offences Act 2003; welcomes Ofcom's enforcement actions under the Online Safety Act but expresses concern about addictive algorithms driving excessive use of social media among children, calling for a ban on social media access for those under 16; criticises the Government’s vote against such measures and calls for swift action following their consultation on restricting social media for under-16s; raises concerns over AI chatbots promoting harmful content to young people and seeks an update from the Government on regulating AI in healthcare; highlights the threat of online disinformation campaigns by hostile state actors and proposes consideration of digital watermarking tools to combat deepfake content and disinformation.

The hon. Member thanked several Members for their contributions and acknowledged the importance of addressing issues related to online safety, including illegal content, suicide forums, drug sales, brain development impact, misinformation, community cohesion, and hate speech. He also mentioned that Ofcom will report on content harmful to children by October.

The hon. Member emphasised the scale of the problem with online safety, particularly raising concerns about a pro-suicide forum linked to 135 deaths. She also highlighted the need for robust action against misinformation and erosion of public trust.

The hon. Member shared stories highlighting new frontiers in misogyny and abuse online, calling for more effective measures to combat such issues.

The hon. Member raised concerns about the impact of social media on brain development, advocating for platforms to be responsible for addressing harms caused by their functionalities.

The hon. Member discussed issues related to misinformation, community cohesion, antisemitism, and division online, emphasising the need for enforcement against foreign interference and hate speech.

The hon. Member highlighted the growing cause of misogyny and abuse in the manosphere and its connection to real-world antisocial behaviour, advocating for measures to tackle online violence against women and girls.

The hon. Member reaffirmed his advocacy alongside Stuart and Amanda Stephens on issues related to illegal content removal and the need for robust action by platforms to address harms caused by their functionalities.