Mother of Brianna Ghey urges social media ban for under-16s

Esther Ghey and other bereaved parents have written to party leaders urging support for a Lords amendment that would stop under-16s from becoming social media users; peers are due to vote on the change this week.

Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to back a ban on under-16s using social media. She and other bereaved parents wrote to party leaders ahead of a planned vote in the House of Lords. The Lords are due to consider an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would require platforms to prevent under-16s becoming users. Officials and MPs are divided, with some supporting an Australia-style approach and others, including charities and some bereaved families, warning against an outright ban. Key points: - Esther Ghey and other bereaved parents have sent a joint letter asking party leaders to support a Lords amendment to block under-16s from social media. - Peers are scheduled to vote this week on the amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. - Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said "no options are off the table" and that more must be done to protect young people online. - Some MPs and ministers support stricter restrictions; other campaigners and charities have cautioned that a ban could have unintended consequences. Summary: The call from bereaved parents has intensified pressure on party leaders as the Lords prepare to vote on the amendment. The immediate next step is the House of Lords vote this week, which will determine whether the proposal advances further.