Euan Stainbank MP: Social media minimum age will help give young people their childhood back

Should children be able to use social media in all its forms? It is an overdue discussion for decision-makers, and one that parents, teachers and young people themselves have been having for years.  

The UK Labour Government has now drawn a clear line. From 2027, social media companies will be required to enforce a minimum age of 16 for social media use, alongside stronger restrictions on harmful features such as livestreaming and contact from strangers.  

No social media platform is a profit-neutral space, and therefore they should not be considered content-neutral noticeboards divorced from responsibility for what is hosted on their platforms. Their algorithms are commercially designed to command and hold our attention by eliciting strong and enduring emotions.  

For adults, it is our choice to participate in social media. However, for all forms of media, we have always imposed formal and informal limits for children. Primarily, parents and guardians should decide what is appropriate for their children — not underregulated algorithms.  

They should not have to face this challenge alone. This is why the Government consulted on this proposal earlier this year.  

Nine out of ten parents supported this age limit during the Government’s consultation, while two-thirds of young people agreed that children under 16 should be excluded from at least some platforms.  

This is the Government listening to the public, acknowledging that social media companies’ incentives have not aided better behaviour, and acting on the people’s will. Technology companies have had years to make their platforms safer. Now, they will be expected to take responsibility for enforcing the rules on the services they created.  

That means making investment in schools, youth services, sport, music, arts and outdoor activities an actual political priority, rather than one that is paid lip service to while the Scottish Government continues to run down the local budgets that often keep these services going.  

There is also a wider question. Social media is increasingly where young people encounter news, public debate and political ideas. Too often, algorithms reward anger, division and incomplete sources rather than thoughtful discussion.  

We should want young people to become informed and engaged young adults. That requires our education system to help them lead that discussion, improve their understanding of their community, country and the world, engage in critical thinking and debate, and understand how our media influences popular opinion.  

This policy is not anti-technology, nor is it about blaming young people. It is about recognising that, just as with every other form of media, there is a need for clear guardrails around what young people see and when they are mature enough to see it.  

By standing up to the technology giants, supporting parents and investing in young people’s futures, we can give our bairns the healthier and happier childhood we owe them.