UK urged to ban social media for under-16s, says Brianna Ghey's mother

Esther Ghey urged MPs to support an immediate ban on social media for under-16s, saying a planned government consultation could take too long and risk further harm. MPs will debate amendments to the children's wellbeing and schools bill, and the government's consultation is due to report this summer.

Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey, has called on MPs to back an immediate ban on social media use by under-16s and criticised the government’s planned consultation as too slow. She said she believes social media use contributed to her daughter's vulnerability and mental health difficulties. MPs are preparing to debate Lords' amendments to the children's wellbeing and schools bill, including an amendment from Lord John Nash that would ban under-16s within 12 months of the bill passing. The government has announced a consultation that is due to report in the summer, and some ministers have raised concerns about how a ban would be implemented and potential unintended effects. Key points: - Esther Ghey urged MPs to vote for an immediate age restriction on social media for under-16s, saying delays could harm children. - An amendment to the children's wellbeing and schools bill from Lord John Nash would require a ban for under-16s within 12 months of the bill's passage. - The government has launched a consultation that is due to report in the summer, and some ministers have expressed reservations about implementation and possible unintended consequences. - More than 60 Labour MPs previously signed a letter calling for a ban, though some have said they are prepared to await the consultation's outcome. - Ghey cited wider concerns about child mental health, noting a reported figure of around 500 child mental-health referrals each day in England. Summary: Esther Ghey's call adds pressure to an ongoing parliamentary debate over age limits for social media access. The immediate outcome depends on the forthcoming parliamentary votes on the Lords' amendments and the findings of the government's consultation, due to report in the summer.