Bereaved parents pushing for a ban on social media for under–16s were on Tuesday promised action ‘within weeks not months’.
During a meeting at No 10, Sir Keir Starmer stopped short of a cast–iron commitment to a law prohibiting children from using addictive apps, but ‘absolutely assured’ them that change was coming.
Ellen Roome, whose 14–year–old son Jools died following an online challenge in April 2022, was among 14 families at the meeting, timed to coincide with the final day of the Government’s three–month consultation into a ban.
She said: ‘The Prime Minister was listening and seemed sincere, but we’ve heard it all before.
‘It would have been lovely to say the Government had agreed to a ban on social media, but that didn’t happen.
‘It’s still a matter of biding our time and waiting to see. I pushed quite hard on the question of why we’ve still not seen anything happen. I asked that four times, but the answer was the same: ‘We’re considering the consultation evidence and you will know within weeks not months.’
‘We all said exactly what we wanted to say, no one minced their words and he did say it was horrific to hear.
‘I just hope that when they do act it is something substantial and not wet or half–hearted.’
A group of bereaved parents arrive at 10 Downing Street on May 26 2026. Bereaved parents pushing for a ban on social media for under–16s have been promised action ‘within weeks not months’
During a meeting at No 10, Sir Keir Starmer stopped short of a cast–iron commitment to a law prohibiting children from using addictive apps
Do YOU support banning social media for under-16s?
More than 81,000 people, including 42,000 parents and 13,000 young people, have responded to the poll.
Esther Ghey, who has been campaigning since the murder of her 16–year–old daughter, Brianna, in February 2023, said she was ‘hopeful and positive’ that meaningful change might happen. The Government is being urged to follow Australia, where under–16s are blocked from using major social media services.
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‘I’ve been immersed in this world since Brianna died,’ she said. ‘I’ve sat at parliamentary round tables and panels. I’ve had MP meetings and spoken to ministers. I’ve seen a huge shift over those years and I truly believe this is a tipping point.’
Ms Ghey is also calling for new laws to make schools phone–free, plus the introduction of an E–safety commissioner, with oversight of tech companies and online safety regulation.
She added: ‘These social media companies are worth billions – Meta is reportedly worth $1.4 trillion. We must join countries who have put the safety of their children before profit.’
Earlier, the Prime Minister said he knew nothing short of ‘a game changer’ would do.
‘We will be acting,’ he said. ‘The question is only what we do. The consultation will finish and we will be decisive.’
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on Tuesday published a warning in response to the consultation that young people’s use of social media ‘ranks alongside smoking and wearing seatbelts’ in terms of its impact on health.
But not all parents back a total ban. Ian Russell, whose 14–year–old daughter Molly took her own life after viewing content online, has said enforcing current laws would be better than ‘sledgehammer techniques like bans’. He has been backed by the NSPCC, Parent Zone and Childnet.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Teachers, parents, medical experts, even the kids themselves, are warning about the effects of social media, yet Labour are dithering. It’s time to do the right thing and raise the age limit for social media to 16.’
