Youth demand stronger rules to protect them from social media harms

Youth call for tougher restrictions

A recent survey found that 74% of Generation Z in the UK believe that stronger rules are necessary to protect young people from the harms of social media, with only 17% disagreeing.

Social media seen as less safe and more addictive

Over 60% of young people aged 16 to 24 stated that social media has become less safe and more addictive in the last five years, highlighting growing concerns among the youth.

Government urged to take action

The New Britain Project's research coincides with calls for the UK government to delve into the issues surrounding social media harms and smartphone use, focusing on protecting youths rather than just illegal content.

Proposed age limit changes

Labour MP Josh MacAlister has put forward proposals to raise the age of online data consent from 13 to 16 to shield young individuals from platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, although the plans have been softened.

Public support for intervention

With four out of five young people expressing their intention to delay their children's social media exposure, there is a clear demand for action to safeguard children from the negative impacts of social media.

Industry response and hope for new regulations

Industry figures like Alex Towers from BT Group emphasize the need for telecoms companies and digital platforms to address the effects of smartphones and social media on children, supporting the idea of requiring parental consent for under-16s to access social media.