Torsten calls emergency meeting on social media ban for under-16s

The MP for Swansea West, Torsten Bell, is holding an emergency public meeting to discuss how best to protect children from harm online. The MP has invited for parents, children and community members from across the city to attend and share their views. 

The meeting, being held 7-8.30pm on Thursday 14 May in Swansea’s Guildhall, will be one of the final opportunities for people in Swansea to have their say on whether children under 16 should be banned from using social media. The debate was opened by the UK Government, which continues accepting new submissions to its consultation on protecting young people’s wellbeing until Friday 26 May.  

The MP is anticipating a significant amount of interest in the event so those wishing to attend have been asked to reserve a seat by emailing torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk with their name and postcode.

At the meeting, residents can expect to hear more details about the proposals being considered, get expert opinion from community leaders, campaigners and teachers and share their own experiences and concerns.  

Mr Bell said: “As a father to young children, I am deeply concerned about the impact of social media and delighted that the UK Government is taking the issue so seriously. Many of us know how much we'd have missed out on as a teenager if the time and attention sink of social media had got in the way. 

“No issue is more important than the safety of our children. As the consensus grows that more needs to be done, I’m hosting this meeting to make sure people in Swansea have their voice heard and are at the forefront of shaping what happens next.”