Hugh Grant and Esther Ghey Lead Calls for Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Actor Hugh Grant has joined forces with Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, to demand a social media ban for children under 16. Their intervention comes as the House of Lords prepares to debate a crucial amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on Wednesday.
Parents in "Impossible Position" Over Online Harms
In a powerful letter to political leaders, Grant argues that parents find themselves in "an impossible position" regarding the online dangers their children face. The letter states that parents are "looking for leadership from Westminster" to address what they describe as a growing crisis.
Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers in 2023, has previously spoken about her daughter's social media addiction. She revealed that Brianna "desperately wanted to be TikTok famous", which left her in constant fear about her daughter's online interactions.
Lords Amendment Seeks to Raise Age Limit to 16
The amendment, tabled by former schools minister Lord Nash, seeks to raise the minimum age for social media use to 16. Lord Nash has issued a stark warning, stating that without "swift action", society faces "a societal catastrophe".
The amendment has gained cross-party support, being co-sponsored by:
- Labour peer Baroness Berger
- Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Benjamin
- Independent crossbench peer Baroness Cass
Government Announces Three-Month Consultation
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced a three-month consultation on potential social media restrictions. The consultation will examine:
- Possible overnight curfews
- Measures to prevent "doom-scrolling"
- Age restrictions and addictive features
- Screen time use by children under five
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has two teenage children, described the issue as "of real concern to parents". He told the Commons that the consultation would examine expert and international evidence to develop appropriate measures.
Overwhelming Parental Support for Action
The campaign has gathered significant momentum, with national polling by Parentkind revealing that 93% of parents believe social media is harmful to children and young people. The letter signed by Grant and Ghey states that "children are being served up extreme content without seeking it out" and that parents "know this has to stop".
Other notable signatories include:
- Singer Peter Andre
- Actor Sophie Winkleman
- Parentkind and Mumsnet organisations
Campaigners Warn Against "Blunt Response"
While support for action is widespread, some campaigners have expressed reservations about a blanket ban. Organisations including the Molly Rose Foundation and NSPCC have warned that "blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need".
Girlguiding chief executive Felicity Oswald has cautioned that "removing young people's access will not rectify the root of the problem". She argues that such measures risk suggesting young people are the issue rather than addressing platform design problems.
Parliamentary Criticism of Consultation Delay
Filmmaker and children's rights campaigner Baroness Kidron has branded the government's consultation announcement "an insult" to Parliament, parents and young people. She warns that further consultation will delay essential action to protect children online, though she has confirmed she will vote in favour of Lord Nash's amendment.
Lord Nash has been particularly critical of the consultation approach, insisting that "the evidence is overwhelming" for immediate action. He argues that support extends across society, from medical professionals to police, teachers and hundreds of thousands of parents.
The letter concludes with an urgent plea to politicians: "The safeguarding of children is an issue that must always rise above politics. We must act now, and not delay. Parents are asking for action, and your peers in Parliament can deliver it."
