A County Durham anti-bullying campaigner backs social media ban for under-16s
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirms under-16s in the UK will be banned from social media by spring 2027
A County Durham anti-bullying campaigner tells us why it is important to implement stricter online safety measures.
It is after the Prime Minister recently announced that under-16s will be banned from social media in the UK by early next year.
Val Mcfarlane, director of the Bullying Intervention Group, said: "Stronger protections won't solve everything, but they can make a real difference and could help to prevent tragedies.
"I think a lot of parents have been worried for years about what children are seeing online and the amount of time they're spending on social media.
"If this helps protect young people from harmful content, bullying and exploitation, then it's a very positive step."
She continued to say: "Parents want their children to be safe online.
"If this helps to reduce exposure to harmful content and gives parents a bit more peace of mind, then that's a good thing for communities across the region.
"We've seen cases where young people have been exposed to dangerous content linked to self-harm, suicide, grooming and exploitation.
"The online world can have a huge impact on children's well-being.
"I think most people would agree that children deserve to be safe online just as much as they deserve to be safe offline.
"This isn't about stopping young people from using technology. It's vital that children use technology.
"It's about making sure the online world is a safer place for them to grow up in."