More than sixty Labour MPs have united to demand the Prime Minister introduce a blanket social media ban for children under the age of 16, mirroring a law recently enacted in Australia.
MPs Cite Youth Mental Health Crisis
The open letter, authored by Plymouth Moor MP Fred Thomas and signed by 61 Labour backbenchers, warns that children across the country are becoming increasingly "anxious, unhappy and unable to focus on learning." It argues that excessive social media use is preventing young people from developing crucial social skills and life experiences needed for adulthood.
Signatories include prominent figures such as education select committee chair Helen Hayes, former whip Vicky Foxcroft, and former education minister Catherine McKinnell. The letter states that Britain risks being "left behind" if it fails to act, placing the onus on technology companies to block underage access, rather than relying on parents alone.
Political Momentum and Opposition
The push comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said last week that "all options are on the table" regarding an Australia-style ban, following a similar pledge from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The MPs claim there is strong public support for the measures, noting that many young people themselves recognise the potential harms.
However, the proposed blanket ban faces significant opposition from leading children's charities. In a separate letter, the NSPCC, Childnet, and the Molly Rose Foundation warned that such a prohibition could be the "wrong solution," creating a false sense of safety and potentially driving children and predators to less regulated parts of the internet.
A Call for Action
The Labour MPs' letter, dated Monday 19 January 2026, directly calls on the government to "protect young people from the consequences of unregulated, addictive social media platforms." It urges swift implementation of the ban, following the Australian model which came into effect in December. The debate highlights the growing political and societal pressure to address the complex relationship between social media and youth mental health in the digital age.
