Social media ban for under 16s welcomed by grieving stepmum

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is raising the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and Snapchat.

The ban is expected to come into force by next spring and will also include romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and children will also be blocked from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms.

Former De Aston School pupil Kibi Wade (Barrett), was found dead aged 16 at her family home in Caistor on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

An inquest into her death was opened in 2024 but was adjourned to allow further investigation and is yet to be concluded. However stepmother Michelle Gardner, who lives in Louth, and Kibi’s mum, Michelle Barrett, who lives in Waltham, have been adding their weight to mental health charities and campaigns to limit the harms of online content on young people.

In May, both mums joined a group of bereaved parents on a visit to 10 Downing Street to discuss how social media may have influenced the deaths of their children and what actions the Government should take to safeguard young people. Now they have received the news they were waiting for.

Stepmum Michelle Gardner said hearing the Prime Minister announcing the ban on Monday morning (June 15) had made the months of campaigning and the trips worthwhile. Michelle said: “It's clear he has listened to our tragic stories and we must thank him for his swift actions as a father himself.”

Michelle said: “Whilst it will never bring back Kibi, it is a massive step towards making a safer online world for young people. It is the start of a process and the Government can listen and learn from other countries who already have restrictions in place. I’m sure if Kibi is watching over us, she would be proud of our fight in her name and that other young people will be helped like she would help others when she was alive. The next step is to enforce the restrictions and get the big tech companies to clean up their act as they are putting profit before children’s lives.”

Michelle believes negative content on social media affected Kibi’s mental health in the past.

"If the Government invests in youth activities and can make this a success many young lives will have a brighter future,” she commented.

Kibi’s parents have pledged to support young people who have been affected by bullying, online harm, mental health and provide advice for parents. Visit the website at https://kibismemory.co.uk or follow on social media.

The announcement follows a public consultation which received more than 116,000 responses. More than 83 per cent of parents who responded said social media risks outweigh the benefits for children – with 91 per cent backing a minimum age of 16 before platforms can offer their services to children.

Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of children who responded said restricting the high-risk features would make them safer online. However, 72 per cent also said they were worried about feeling left out if restrictions came in.

Sir Keir said: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy. This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.

“People rightly expect action, and this Government will always stand up for parents and put children first. That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”

Some groups have argued that a ban may not be the appropriate instrument to tackle a wide spread of social media harms.