Kent residents back PCC's social media letter to the PM
The letter calls for restrictions preventing under 16s from accessing social media
865 Kent residents have added their signatures to a letter from the Police and Crime Commissioner calling for restrictions preventing under 16s from accessing social media.
Matthew Scott has written to the Prime Minister, as debates continue in the House of Lords on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.
The letter calls on Sir Keir Starmer to keep an amendment in the legislation that would require the Secretary of State to take action to promote children’s wellbeing in relation to their use of social media by commissioning advice from the Chief Medical Officers and introduce regulations to prevent under 16s from accessing social media.
The letter points to new data from the PCC that shows over 1800 offences were committed in a twelve-month period where the victim and perpetrator were both under 16 and the offence had an online marker. These offences included domestic abuse, extortion, harassment and sharing of indecent images.
Mr Scott said:
“I am delighted that so many local residents are supporting this vital campaign. We have seen strong evidence on the impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing, behaviour and school performance. It is important that we act now that we know more about the effect of social media and online crimes against young people.
“The coalition of supporters, including parents, PCCs, MPs, Peers, charities and professionals is so broad that I hope the Government will take notice and do the right thing, follow the lead of other countries and better restrict social media use for the under 16s.”