Written question WQ98644
- Asked by
- Gwyn WilliamsPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 15 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Minister consider an Australia-style social media ban for children under 16 years old in light of the significant mental health challenges facing Welsh youth?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy (Adam Price)
The UK Government recently concluded its consultation on children’s use of social media, which considered a range of potential measures aimed at protecting young people's wellbeing and ensure safer online experiences.
We are committed to improving the mental health and well-being of young people and will be working across the Welsh Government to do that. However, any potential ban or restriction of social media use by children under 16 years old would be a reserved matter and is therefore a decision for the UK Government. The consultation has provided an opportunity for the UK Government to gather evidence and we await the outcome.
Whatever change looks like, it must be evidence-led and it should lead to genuine improvements for the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people.