Commenting on Safer Internet Day, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Educators are seeing first-hand how online platforms shape young people’s lives, learning and mental health. Addictive social media algorithms are designed to maximise engagement and grab attention rather than protect children. Government must take a stand against the Big Tech companies who are promoting so much harmful content to young people.
“The NEU welcomes the government’s consultation on banning social media for under-16s but there is no time to delay. The consultation must be laser focused on providing an immediate pathway to raise the age of social media access to 16, drawing on the experiences of those on the frontline of the issue, like teachers and parents.
“It is also important to create space in the curriculum for digital literacy education. These lessons are central to safeguarding and the long-term wellbeing of young people.”