Hugh Grant backs call for social media ban for under-16s ahead of Lords debate

Actor Hugh Grant is among those backing a social media ban on under-16s, saying parents are in an “impossible position” about the harm their children are exposed to online and are “looking for leadership from Westminster”.

It comes as colleagues in the House of Lords prepare to debate an amendment to the Child Welfare and Schools Bill on Wednesday to raise the age limit for social media users.

Former schools minister Lord Nash, who tabled the amendment, warned that “we risk a social catastrophe unless swift action is taken to raise the age limit for social media to 16”.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced this week that she would hold a three-month consultation on the ban, reporting in the summer, to consider the advantages and disadvantages, as well as possible night curfews and actions to prevent “apocalypse slipping”.

Lord Nash insisted the consultation only represented further delay, arguing that the evidence was “too overwhelming” for a ban, backed by support “from medical professionals to our police and national intelligence community, from our teachers to hundreds of thousands of parents”.

He warned: “The era of delay and procrastination is over.”

Hollywood star Grant is one of the signatories of the letter supporting the change, sent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.

The letter was also signed by Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers in 2023.

Ms Ghey has previously said her daughter has a “social media addiction” and “wants to be TikTok famous”, leaving her “in constant fear of who Brianna might talk to online”.

Other signatories include singer Peter Andre and actor Sophie Winkleman, while the letter is also backed by Parentkind and Mumsnet.

The statement states: “Children are being presented with excessive content without searching for anything. Parents know this must end. But they cannot do it alone and are asking politicians for help.”

“National survey by Parentkind shows 93% of parents think social media is harmful to children and teenagers, but many feel huge pressure to provide smartphones or are unable to deny their children access to platforms designed for adults.

“Parents are in an impossible situation and are looking to Westminster for leadership. Today is the day you can take action to help them.”

“The protection of children is an issue that should always be kept above policy. The Welfare of Children and Schools Bill offers a real chance to protect childhood and support parents with clear, practical measures. We must act now, not delay. Parents want action, and your peers in Parliament can make it happen.”

The signatories argue that clear age limits “send a strong signal and would be the most effective way to help parents manage their children’s digital lives and keep them safe.”

Lord Nash’s amendment was jointly supported by Labor member Baroness Berger, her Liberal Democrat counterpart Baroness Benjamin and independent cross-examiner Baroness Cass.

Proponents of the ban have argued that social media causes catastrophic harm to children’s health, encourages radicalization and crime, and also fuels an epidemic of mental illness.

But not all campaigners support the ban; With some caveats, it warns that this could be a “blatant response” that fails to meet the responsibility of big tech companies to ensure their platforms are safe for users.

A statement published at the weekend by the Molly Rose Foundation and the NSPCC, among others, said parents “have the right to demand that the Government stand up for children and families” but that “blanket bans on social media will not deliver the improvement in children’s safety and well-being that they urgently need”.

They added: “These are a clear response that fails to address the repeated failure of technology companies and governments to act decisively and sooner.”

Girlguiding’s chief executive, Felicity Oswald, also expressed reservations about the ban, saying she believed “removing young people’s access will not solve the root of the problem.”

He added: “Issuing a blanket ban risks the argument that the problem is young people themselves rather than the design of the platforms they use.”

Meanwhile, filmmaker and children’s rights campaigner Baroness Kidron described the Government’s announcement of a consultation on children’s online health as an “insult” to Parliament, parents and young people, warning it would delay action to keep children safe online.

Crossbencher Baroness Kidron said she would vote in favor of Lord Nash’s amendment during a debate on Wednesday.