Film-style age limits for social media

Max is calling for the default minimum age for access to social media to be raised to 16.

Parents are rightly concerned about the dangerous content their children are being exposed to online. Max is now calling for film-style age ratings of up to 18 for the most harmful platforms, and a default rating of 16 for social media.

This means that access to social media platforms would be restricted based on the risk they pose to young people. Social media channels like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook would all be legally classified as unsuitable for under-16s. If a platform spreads harmful content or relies on addictive and harmful algorithms, it should not be allowed anywhere near our children. That means platforms that continue to host extreme content, like X, could be rated 18+.

Since becoming an MP, Max has supported Cheltenham resident Ellen Roome in her campaign to hold social media companies to account for their failure to protect children online. Last year, Max introduced the Jools' Law private member's bill to Parliament, which would give parents access to their deceased children’s social media accounts to allow proper investigations in the case of the death of a child.

Introduce film-style age limits for social media

We the undersigned Cheltenham residents, back calls for default minimum age for social media access to be set at 16.

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