Teenagers’ Use of Social Media 2026-02-04
2026-02-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about discussions on teenagers' use of social media and referenced Australia's struggles with regulating new apps and switching between platforms.
What discussions has the Secretary of State had with stakeholders on teenagers’ use of social media? The Government in Australia are playing a game of whack-a-mole as they struggle to keep up with young people switching between social media sites and new apps that have just been brought on board. I have spoken to people in the industry here and to parents who say that a blanket ban is not working. Will the Government consider a more varied approach, along the lines that the Liberal Democrats have suggested, with a licensing scheme based on certification for cinema screens?
I have spoken to a range of individuals and organisations about teenagers’ use of social media. Last month, I met families who have suffered unimaginable tragedy as a result of their children’s experiences online. In April, my Department will co-host an event with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children on AI’s impact on children. We are considering different options including a ban on social media for under-16s, raising the digital age of consent, overnight curfews and stronger age verification measures.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly address the specific licensing scheme proposed by Christine Jardine but mentioned considering a range of options including a ban on social media for under-16s.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee mentioned previous evidence sessions with tech companies regarding their accountability to the British people.
One year ago, Meta, TikTok, X, and Google all confirmed to my Committee that they hold themselves accountable to the British people through Parliament, and before Easter we will revisit the findings of our social media and algorithms inquiry in an evidence session with them. I mention that because it is clear that Governments across the world are urgently seeking ways to make tech platforms more accountable. As the Secretary of State consults on children and social media, will she confirm that any eventual ban should be in addition to and not instead of more effective regulation of those powerful platforms?
I thank my hon. Friend for the work she is leading on this crucial issue, and I know how passionately she and the Committee feel about the role of algorithms, misinformation, disinformation and the impact on our democracy and the political process. We have launched a specific consultation on children’s online lives, and we want to ensure that AI and tech is used for good, and not to cause further problems in our society.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not confirm whether the eventual ban will be in addition to or instead of more effective regulation but mentioned a consultation on children’s online lives.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted that public, Conservative, and Labour Members all support a ban on social media for under-16s.
The public support a ban on social media for the under-16s, Conservative Members support a ban on social media for the under-16s, and Labour Members support a ban on social media for the under-16s. The Secretary of State has said many fine words about her concerns for children’s safety online, but what we now need is action. Will she take the opportunity to make clear her position: does she, or does she not, support a ban on social media for the under-16s?
I am very aware of the strong views on this issue. The hon. Gentleman did not mention that organisations such as the Molly Rose Foundation, the NSPCC, and others think there are problems with a social media ban for young people, and I want to listen closely to those views. I say to the hon. Gentleman that it was Labour Members who stood up to X and Grok when the Conservative spokesperson said it was a “legal grey area”, when it was not, and accused us of being like the mullahs of Iran. I am proud of the action we have taken to keep kids safe online; let us see what the hon. Gentleman has done.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not directly answer whether she supports a ban on social media for under-16s but mentioned organisations that oppose it and criticized the Conservative spokesperson's comments.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP referenced a proposed world-leading approach to ban harmful social media, based on a future-proof, harms-based approach backed by 42 children’s charities and online experts.
We have already heard from thousands of stakeholders, including concerned parents, teachers and young people, who are all crying out for help against fast-evolving online harm. That is why the Liberal Democrats have proposed a world-leading approach to ban harmful social media, based on a future-proof, harms-based approach that is backed by 42 children’s charities and online experts. As the world wakes up to this seatbelt moment for online safety, now is the time for action. A consultation is not good enough, so will the Secretary of State please assure us that it will at least look at how we ban harmful social media for under-16s, rather than if we do it?
We are banning harmful content for children, and this Government have taken decisive action to protect children and young people from intimate image abuse, self-harm, cyber-flashing, and strangulation in pornography. Hon. Members across the House will continually ask me this question today, but I believe that a consultation—swift, with proposals before the summer—is the right and responsible way forward to hear different views, to try to build consensus where we can, and then to act decisively.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not assure that the consultation will look at banning harmful social media for under-16s but mentioned decisive action already taken by the Government and a swift consultation process.
Response accuracy