EastEnders Star Advocates for Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Former EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy has publicly endorsed a campaign to increase the minimum age for social media access to 16 years old. Cassidy, known for her role as Sonia Fowler, expressed deep concerns about the harmful content children encounter online, which she finds more alarming than the dramatic storylines of her television character.
Parental Fears and Campaign Findings
Cassidy, a mother to daughters Eliza (15) and Joanie (9), highlighted the challenges parents face in monitoring their children's digital activities. She fears her older daughter may have become desensitised to disturbing material, despite claims of not seeing it. An experiment conducted by the 'Big Tech’s Little Victims' campaign revealed that fictional profiles of 13-year-olds were exposed to hundreds of concerning posts within just one week. This content included sexualised imagery, racism, violence, and self-harm, underscoring the risks young users face on social platforms.
Campaign Demands and Government Action
The campaign, which has garnered support from the National Education Union, is urging the government to implement stricter regulations. Key demands include raising the age limit for social media access to 16 and addressing the algorithms that push harmful content to children. Campaigners point to Australia's recent ban on social media for under-16s as a model for effective policy. Cassidy emphasised the need for immediate action to protect vulnerable young users from online dangers.
Broader Implications for Child Safety
This initiative reflects growing public and political concern over the impact of social media on youth mental health and well-being. With increasing evidence of exposure to inappropriate content, advocates argue that current age restrictions are insufficient. The campaign aims to spark a national conversation about digital safety, pushing for legislative changes to ensure a safer online environment for children across the UK.
