BBC Politics Live: Social Media Ban

17 April 2026

I was on BBC Politics Live yesterday discussing a ban on social media for under-16s.

From speaking with parents, teachers and carers, it is clear that addictive social media is harming children’s mental health, damaging their wellbeing, and undermining their ability to learn.

The way forward is clear: a ban for under-16s, following a model similar to Australia, to protect our children from the damaging effects of the online world.