MP MATT Western has been talking with students about the ban on social media for under 16s.
The Warwick and Leamington MP brought together students from Campion School and Myton School, and minister for AI and online safety Kanishka Narayan, to discuss the incoming ban.
A social media ban for under 16s was announced by the Government last month with plans to bring it into force next spring.
The ban followed a three-month consultation on how to prepare children for the future in an age of rapid technological change.
The results of the consultation showed a huge demand for action, with nine in ten parents backing a ban and two-thirds of young people agreeing under 16s should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms.
Social media companies will be banned from providing their services to under 16s, and under 16s will be prevented from accessing harmful functions on other online services, including gaming services. There will be age checks to enforce these requirements.
Those under the age of 18 will also be prevented from accessing AI chatbot services that primarily offer sexual content. Other AI chatbot services will not be able to offer children features that enable sexually explicit or sexual role-playing content.
The students shared their views on the benefits and drawbacks of social media. Discussions ranged from the risks of being exposed to harmful content on platforms to the benefits of educational content on platforms such as YouTube which have helped students with revision of certain topics.
The minister answered questions from students on a range of issues, including the lessons the UK Government had learnt from a similar ban the Australian Government introduced last December how they would ensure educational content is not being restricted.
Mr Western said: “The social media ban is a generational change and it is crucial that young people can have their voices heard in the process.
“The students asked thoughtful questions, demonstrating their strong engagement on this important subject matter. I was incredibly proud of them and how they represented themselves, their peers and the constituency.
“It is vital that we engage young people in policy and I’m grateful for the students and their teachers for their time and brilliant participation in this session.”
