Full social media ban dangerous, says bereaved mum
BBCA mother whose 12-year-old daughter took her own life after being bullied via social media has said it is "dangerous" to completely ban young people from using platforms and then fully expose them to the internet at 16.
Charley-Ann Patterson from Cramlington, Northumberland, who suffered bullying in school and on social media, died in October 2020.
After the prime minister announced under-16s would be banned from social media by spring 2027, Charley-Ann's mother Jay Patterson said: "We need more information and clarity about what the ban involves. It's as clear as mud."
In a speech on Monday, Sir Kier Starmer said: "I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children."
Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a similar social media ban in December, but experts say young people can still access it.
Social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among those which will be affected by the UK ban - but WhatsApp and Signal are not included.
The move was welcomed by some campaigners including Joe Ryrie, co-founder of the Smartphone Free Childhood group, who said: "This social media ban won't solve every problem overnight, but it is a major step forward.
"Millions of children will now get a few more years to grow up before entering online environments that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind."
Family handoutAn inquest into Charley-Ann's death in 2022 revealed she had been sent distressing videos on social media days before she killed herself.
Her mother told the inquest: "Approximately one week prior to Charley's death she came to me and told me about a TikTok video she had been sent.
"She would not tell me who had sent this to her but was visibly upset by it."
It was also revealed that some messages targeting Charley-Ann were sent by pupils via laptops being used to work remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
In her statement to the inquest, Jay Patterson said she understood those private exchanges were not being monitored by members of staff.
'Not thought out'
Responding to the government's announcement of a ban, Patterson said: "Charley was sent horrible messages on WhatsApp, but if this is a blanket ban then why wasn't WhatsApp included?
"It's not been thought out."
She believes education offers a better route and called for improved online safety lessons in school.
"I'd love to say this [ban] is going to work but our family's personal history suggests otherwise," she said.
"You wouldn't let someone drive without doing their test.
"Young people need to be taught early about the dangers of the internet.
"You take away full access from them then bang, they're 16 and they have access to it all.
"That's dangerous."
Justifying the policy, the prime minister said social media was making it easier for bullies to abuse children and was designed to be addictive.
The government is expected to introduce legislation before Christmas, with rules expected to come into force in spring 2027.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.
