17/06/2026
Let’s get talking. 🗣️
I have very mixed opinions on this, so I thought I’d share my thoughts. 👇🏼
Firstly, I will always be in favour of keeping children safe, both online and offline.
1) Many children have close family who live far away. For example, my brother lives four hours away, so we don’t get to see him or his family very often. However, our children have stayed really close because they’ve been able to play together online.
2) Should the government really be deciding what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to how our children spend their spare time? Shouldn’t that ultimately be a parent’s decision?
3) When it comes to strangers talking to children, personally we haven’t experienced this. But shouldn’t the responsibility be on the companies that create these platforms to make them safer? Age doesn’t automatically equal vulnerability. I’ve met many vulnerable adults over the years too.
4) Many years ago, it was common for one parent to work while the other stayed home to raise the children and look after the house. Or even work part time. Today, in many families, both parents work and still struggle to make ends meet. Children often spend time with grandparents or childminders, and by the time everyone gets home, the iPad often becomes the babysitter while parents cook, clean and catch up on everything else. Instead of focusing solely on banning things, how about creating a society where families don’t have to work every possible hour just to get by, giving parents more time to actually parent?
5) Will we eventually have to prove we’re over 16 using a digital ID? Is this where things are heading? No digital ID, no social media? 🤷🏻♀️
6) I absolutely believe the internet can be an unsafe place for anyone, regardless of age, if it’s not used responsibly. There are risks for children and adults alike. But should it really be the government’s role to decide who can and can’t access it? Or should the focus be on making online spaces safer, educating people about online safety, and giving parents the tools to make those decisions for their own children?
7) Then again, I also know that not every child has parents or carers who set boundaries or supervise their online activity. Sadly, some children don’t get the guidance or protection they need. So I can understand why the government feels it has to step in. That’s where my conflict lies, I believe parents should have the biggest say in raising their children, but I also recognise that not every child has that level of support.
😎 Another thing I’ve been thinking about… if 16 year olds are considered mature enough to vote and help shape the future of the country, should they also be considered mature enough to decide whether they use social media? It seems like an interesting contradiction that someone could be trusted to vote at 16 but still face restrictions or a curfew on social media at 16 and 17.
These are just my thoughts, and I’m genuinely interested to hear other people’s opinions. I don’t have all the answers, and I can see both sides of the argument. Please keep the discussion respectful it’s okay to disagree ☺️
