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Women's Aid has welcomed the government's proposed ban on social media use by under-16s, while warning that technology companies must continue to strengthen protections for children and young people online.
Responding to the announcement, Veronica Oakeshott, Head of External Affairs at Women's Aid, said the organisation supported the intention behind the policy and looked forward to further details on how the proposed restrictions would operate when they are introduced next spring.
Oakeshott said that children and young people have been exposed for too long to harmful content and behaviour online, including misogynistic rhetoric, material that promotes violence against women and girls, and sexual exploitation by online predators.
While acknowledging that a social media ban alone would not eliminate these risks, she suggested it could help reduce the pressure many young people feel to participate in online environments that are not always safe.
Women's Aid also stressed that responsibility for protecting children should not rest solely with government restrictions. The charity argued that social media companies must continue to improve safety measures and safeguards for vulnerable users, including those who may still access online platforms despite any future ban.
Oakeshott warned that technology companies should not view the proposed restrictions as an opportunity to avoid their own responsibilities for user safety, calling instead for stronger protections and more effective measures to prevent harm occurring on digital platforms.
The comments come amid continuing debate about the impact of social media on children's wellbeing and safety, and broader efforts by government and campaign groups to address online harms affecting children and young people.
