Torsten calls for Swansea parents and teenagers to take part in national debate about the damage of social media

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, has today called on parents, schools and young people across Swansea to take part in a national debate about how to protect children from harm online.  

The debate has been opened by the UK Government, which has launched a consultation on banning social media for under 16s, alongside a series of measures to protect young people's wellbeing.   

Evidence from around the world will be examined on a wide range of suggested proposals, including looking at whether a social media ban for children would be effective and if one was introduced how best to make it work. Ministers will visit Australia to learn first-hand from their approach.     

The consultation will also look at options including raising the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews to avoid excessive use, and restricting potentially addictive design features such as ‘streaks’ and ‘infinite scrolling’.  

Torsten Bell said: “As a father to young children, I am deeply concerned about the impact of social media on children 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, this consultation is a vital opportunity for people in Swansea to have their say – I’m urging parents, children and schools to join the conversation.”