Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, is asking local parents to share their views on the proposals to raise the minimum age for social media access to 16.
The Government is currently consulting on proposals to better protect children online through its “Growing up in the online world” consultation. This includes setting a minimum age for accessing social media (including a possible ban for under-16s), raising the digital age of consent, restricting features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and strengthening support for parents.
Nusrat has worked on online safety issues for many years, including on the Home Affairs Select Committee, where she examined risks such as harmful content and child exploitation. She has consistently raised concerns about platforms such as TikTok, particularly in relation to young users and national security, and led calls for Parliament to close its TikTok account. As a result, she was sanctioned by China, and remains very aware of the risks posed by platforms linked to the Chinese Communist Party, particularly around data security, influence and free expression.
Nusrat Ghani said: “We all know how different it is to grow up in school now, compared to what it was like 20 years ago or more. Technology is widely accessible which means it's harder for us to know what our children are getting up to. Parenting in a world of mobile phones and devices is daunting - I know, I have done it. Having been sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party, I also know first-hand the dangers of social media, and I have been trying to warn of the dangers of TikTok to our personal security and younger generations. Many of you may have seen that the Government are currently consulting on setting a minimum age for somebody to access social media. In addition to this, the consultation is looking at a variety of digital related protections, including raising the digital age of consent and how to better support parents. So that I can best represent you and make full and thorough representations to Ministers, I have set up a short survey on my website. Please tell me how what the Government is proposing will alter social media usage for your children and how it will affect how you parent it. Your experiences are essential in helping me reflect the reality facing families in Sussex Weald and ensuring I can make the strongest possible case on your behalf.”
The Government consultation is available here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation and is open until 26th May.
Nusrat’s survey can be completed here: www.nusghani.org.uk/socialmediaban.
Please note, only those aged over 16 years of age and above are permitted to complete this survey.
