Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has written an op-ed in local Craven media about families in navigating social media and a new proposal from the Conservative Party suggesting a ban on social media use for under‑16s. You can read the full article below:
Supporting Local Families in Navigating Social Media
Social media is now part of everyday life for most families in Craven. Young people use it to chat with friends, explore hobbies, and keep up with the world around them.
But parents and carers are increasingly worried about how these platforms affect children’s wellbeing. Concerns often include cyberbullying, harmful content, the pressure to look a certain way, and the feeling that children are spending too much time online.
Many children are signing up to social media before the age of thirteen, and this means they often start using these platforms long before parents feel ready to guide them or fully understand what their children may be experiencing online. For families across Skipton, Settle, Ingleton, Bentham, Grassington and the wider Craven area, this can create stress and uncertainty.
A new proposal from the Conservative Party suggests introducing a ban on social media use for under‑16s. This has started a wide and important discussion. Some people believe the online world has developed so quickly that stricter rules are needed to protect children. Others say that action is needed, but say any ban must be carefully planned, clearly explained, and supported by technology companies so that it works in practice.
One point families across Craven agree on is the need for more support. Parents often say they feel outmatched by platforms designed to capture attention and keep users scrolling. I have received hundreds of emails from local parents on this issue, and they want tighter age checks and better control over what their children can see online.
This new policy aims to respond to these concerns through stronger age‑verification tools, clearer parental controls and greater responsibility for social media companies to protect young users. Any change this significant will need careful input from families, schools, youth organisations and online‑safety experts to make sure it is practical and fair.
Across Craven, parents, teachers and youth workers are already leading open conversations about staying safe online. Young people themselves also recognise both the benefits and the pressures social media can bring, and their experiences must help shape any future plans.
As the national debate continues, I encourage families across Craven to share their views and ideas with me via my email, [email protected], so that I can take your concerns directly to the Government in Westminster.
