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The father of Olly Stephens, a teenager tragically killed in 2021, has expressed his support for a government proposal to ban social media use for children under the age of 16. He believes that if such a restriction had been implemented at the time of his son’s death, Olly would still be alive today. This announcement follows comments from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who stated his intention for the ban to be enforced by the spring of 2027. Olly, aged 13 at the time, was fatally stabbed in Emmer Green, Reading, following an altercation that originated on social media platforms.
Stuart Stephens, Olly’s father, who has been actively campaigning alongside other bereaved parents, hopes to collaborate with the government in drafting the legislation. He marked the development as long overdue, reflecting on how early intervention could have saved many young lives. Stuart stated, “If we had had this 10 years ago, when all of this tech was starting to surface, then a lot of us, our children would still be here.” He went on to emphasize the harmful nature of social media, describing it as addictive and predatory, particularly for children under 16.
Meanwhile, some schools in southern England have already begun regulating smartphone use independently. At Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, Dorset, students have been required to store their phones in lockable pouches during school hours for the past three weeks. Assistant headteacher Rachel Glennie expressed her support for the government’s planned ban, highlighting concerns about students’ concentration and safeguarding issues linked to smartphone usage. Glennie also mentioned that a parental survey showed many felt powerless in managing their children’s screen time and social media engagement. She added, “Allowing students to use their smartphones all day isn’t necessarily preparing them for later life – it’s just preparing them for a life that’s consistently on their screens.”
Opinions among families vary, however. Toby, a 13-year-old from Portland, Dorset, and his parents voiced reservations about the effectiveness of a blanket ban. Toby remarked, “Obviously, it’s kind-of annoying but there are going to be ways around it and it doesn’t get rid of the stuff on social media.” His father Sam acknowledged some positives of social media but suggested that broader control measures would be necessary rather than an outright prohibition. Toby’s mother, Carly, noted that communication now often takes place on platforms like WhatsApp or gaming consoles, emphasizing that this is their generation’s primary way to connect.
On the other hand, some parents, such as Connie from Moreton, Dorset, support stricter regulations to safeguard young people. She said, “We need to have a change and we need to protect our young people.” Connie believes the ban will aid parents in managing their children’s screen time more effectively. Social media companies including Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat have criticized the proposed ban, warning it
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