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Two grieving mothers have expressed serious concerns that any postponement in implementing a social media ban for children under 16 could result in an increasing number of young people suffering harm. This worry comes shortly after the House of Lords voted decisively in favor of prohibiting under-16s from accessing platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. The decision echoes a similar policy enacted by Australia in the previous year.
Esther Ghey and Ellen Roome spoke to the BBC’s *Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg*, criticizing the regulator Ofcom for not doing enough to safeguard children online. Ofcom, which introduced new rules last year aimed at shielding youngsters from harmful or inappropriate material, acknowledged the challenges still ahead. “We are under no illusion there is still much more to do,” a spokesperson confirmed.
The House of Lords’ vote, which took place midweek, resulted in a substantial majority of 111 votes in favor of the ban, effectively dealing a significant setback to the government. As a result, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will move on to the House of Commons for further debate. The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, has since launched a three-month consultation period to evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of enforcing such a restriction. The inquiry will also consider proposals like overnight curfews and preventative measures against compulsive online behavior, with findings expected this summer.
Esther Ghey’s daughter, Brianna Ghey, was tragically murdered in February 2023 by two teenagers who had planned the attack using social media platforms. Reflecting on her daughter’s struggle, Esther emphasized the urgency for action: “Whilst we’re waiting more and more children are being harmed.” She revealed how Brianna spent countless hours online and aspired to gain fame on TikTok, a factor she believes contributed to her mental health challenges and isolation in the final years of her life. “The last two years of her life were absolutely full of suffering and it is such a waste,” Esther added. Highlighting the broader issue, she mentioned that “every single day 500 children are being referred to mental health services” and that “97% of 12-year-olds own smartphones,” underlining the necessity for immediate intervention.
Meanwhile, Australia has set a precedent by enforcing a social media ban for under-16s as of December. This approach, designed to shield children from harmful algorithms and content, has attracted global governmental attention, including from the UK. While companies such as Meta acknowledge the importance of protecting young users, they argue that a complete ban may not be the most effective solution, echoing caution expressed by some experts.
Ellen Roome, another bereaved mother whose son died after participating in a social media challenge, shared her frustrations regarding the lack of regulation. Speaking from Gloucestershire, Roome questioned how much longer children would be allowed unrestricted access to online platforms. “I just fundamentally think if this was a product, it would be taken off the road, it would be fixed and handed back to them. Tell you what, take it away,” she stated. Ellen Roome is among a group of parents currently suing TikTok in Delaware, United States, over safety concerns related to their children’s deaths.
Since gaining enhanced regulatory powers last summer, Ofcom has launched investigations into over 90 online platforms and issued multiple fines. A spokesperson for the organization pointed out that, “age checks to protect children from pornography and other harmful material are now widespread,” and that several high-risk websites have been blocked. Additionally, efforts to combat child sexual abuse material have intensified. Recognizing the long history of unregulated behavior by the industry, Ofcom pledged to maintain its urgent work to create a safer online environment for children in the UK, while expressing gratitude for the ongoing contributions from victims, survivors, and bereaved families
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