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Today, the MP for Ashford, Hawkinge, and the Villages, Sojan Joseph, has welcomed the new government ban on social media for under-16s (including sites such as Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, TikTok, and Facebook).
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Mr Joseph, a former mental health nurse of over 22 years, has been campaigning for further safeguards and protections for young people online to protect their mental health, and has been pressing for a full ban for under-16s on social media.
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Sojan Joseph has been working closely with schools and community organisations across his constituency and Kent to raise awareness and advocate for further safeguarding, such as John Wallis C of E Primary School in Ashford, which has created smartphone-free zones, and Whitstable Unplugged, whom Mr Joseph hosted in Parliament’s Jubilee Room for a performance of Generation FOMO (a verbatim play which raises awareness of the dangers of social media for young people’s mental health).
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Mr Joseph fully recognises that this could not have been achieved without the tireless work of all other campaigners across all sectors, including charities, schools, volunteer groups, parents, and young people themselves.
Sojan Joseph MP said:“I truly welcome the Government’s announcement today. When I worked in the NHS, I saw how much damage social media could do to young people’s mental health. “I saw teenagers with anxiety and depression that were undoubtedly linked to their reliance on social media.
“I know from speaking to young people in my constituency that the vast majority were supportive, and I’m pleased the Government listened to their voices through the consultation.“This is a huge win for the tireless campaigners, teachers, and parents who have been advocating for this for a long time— but most importantly, the children and young people it will protect online.”ENDS
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