Charity backs U-16s social media ban

A Newtown youth wellbeing charity has welcomed the UK Government’s planned ban on social media use for under 16s, saying it could help address what it describes as a growing confidence and self-esteem crisis among young people.

The announcement earlier this week will see under-16s barred from major social media platforms from next spring, while additional measures are expected to restrict children from communicating with strangers through online gaming and other digital platforms.

At Newtown-based charity Rekindle⁠, which supports young people across north Powys and Mid Wales, staff say low confidence, poor self-esteem and social anxiety are among the most common issues they encounter.

Fleur Thompson, Service Delivery Manager at Rekindle, said the charity regularly supports young people whose mental wellbeing has been affected by excessive phone use and social media.

“We have laws in place to stop children and young people accessing alcohol and cigarettes but very little to prevent them accessing harmful content on their phones,” she said.

“That’s morally wrong, and as a mental health worker I think it’s impacting detrimentally on our young people’s development. We need to teach them how to use phones responsibly.”

Rekindle operates from hubs in Newtown and Welshpool and provides counselling and wellbeing support for 16 to 25 year olds across the region. Young people can refer themselves or be referred by parents, schools and health professionals.

While Fleur stressed that social media is only one factor affecting young people’s mental health, alongside issues such as family circumstances, neurodiversity and social exclusion, she said its impact is becoming increasingly apparent.

She described smartphones as providing “a dopamine hit” that can be particularly difficult for vulnerable young people to manage.

“If you’re a lonely person who’s quite isolated already, they can make you feel like you’re connecting with people, but actually you’re not, or you’re doing it in an unhealthy way,” she said.

The Government’s announcement follows growing concern nationally about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, online safety and wellbeing. The measures represent one of the most significant attempts yet to limit young people’s exposure to potentially harmful online content.

At Rekindle, discussions about phone use often form part of wider support programmes, although staff take a person-centred approach, as Fleur described.

“Young people who come to us set their own goals,” she said. “Through the work we do with them, they do become more aware of how phones are impacting their mental health, and as a side effect of encouraging them to get on with their goals, they tend not to use them as much.”

The charity also offers practical wellbeing support, weekly social sessions and help with issues ranging from housing and education to finances and health services.

Ahead of the new restrictions coming into force, Fleur encouraged young people to monitor their screen time, avoid using phones before bed and consider switching off notifications to reduce distractions.

She also urged parents to take an active interest in their children’s online lives while maintaining trust and privacy.

“I think parents have to be really careful about respecting privacy, but you can still show an interest in what children are doing on their phones,” she said.

“Sit down with them and explore content together.”

She added that a simple rule could help improve online behaviour for both young people and adults.

“It’s so easy to call people names, or to mock or troll them online.

“I’d say, don’t message anything to anyone that you wouldn’t say to their face. It’s a good reminder for young people and adults to have respect for each other.”

Rekindle supports young people aged 16 to 25 across mid Wales, including north Powys, through counselling, wellbeing services and community activities from its centres in Newtown and Welshpool.