Following the announcement this week by Prime Minister Kier Starmer, the MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns has spoken out welcoming the news of a social media ban for under 16s.

In a report shared by Kearns, she said: 'I welcome the Government's decision to introduce stronger protections for children online from 2026.

'These safeguards have been hard won by parents and campaigners who have fought tirelessly to expose the harms that social media can inflict on young people.'

The safeguards will include apps such as Tiktok, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, X and Facebook being banned for under-16s. They will also be banned from livestreaming, messaging strangers on gaming apps and using disappearing messages.

In addition to this, 16 and 17 year olds will have nightly social media curfews and limits on infinite scrolling - with more details to be shared by the government on this in the coming months.

There will also be a ban on AI 'romantic companion' chatbots for all under-18s.

However, Kearns has also raised some concerns about the ban, saying: 'Important questions remain.

'If 16 and 17 year olds are considered mature enough to vote, participate in our democracy and make decisions about the future of our country, why are they simultaneously subject to social media curfews?

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'The Government must clearly explain the evidence behind drawing the line at 16 for some rights and responsibilities, while imposing additional controls online.

'There are also questions about protecting privacy and Digital ID - both of which I've raised in the House of Commons, one as recently as last week.

'The technology must be effective, rational and proportionate - and must recognise our children are very effective at workarounds like VPNs.

'The challenge now is ensuring these reforms are implemented effectively, while maintaining a consistent approach to the rights and responsibilities of older teenagers.'