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  "description": "More than 100 students from Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent shared their views on a proposed social media ban for under-16s, contributing directly to a national Government consultation on online safety.",
  "path": "/stafford-and-stoke-on-trent-students-help-shape-debate-on-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-29T13:00:43.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk",
  "textContent": "More than 100 young people from Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent shared their thoughts on a social media ban for under 16s with their local MP and the Minister for AI and Online Safety, thanks to parallel events hosted by Leigh Ingham MP and Gareth Snell MP. The events gave Staffordshire young people a say in the conversation on children's safety online, as part of the Government's national consultation on banning social media for under 16s.\n\nGareth Snell, the MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central hosted his event at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College for students from the college itself, St Peter’s Academy, St Joseph’s Academy, Excel Academy, Discovery Academy, Thistley Hough Academy and Birches Head Academy.\n\nLeigh Ingham, the MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, hosted an event at the NSCG Institute of Technology, welcoming students from Stafford College, Blessed William Howard Catholic School, Sir Graham Balfour School, Stafford Manor High School, and King Edward VI School.\n\nThe sessions were led by the MPs alongside the Minister for AI and Online Safety, who joined the events at the MPs’ invitation.\n\nThe students spent the sessions discussing social media, exploring what works, what doesn't, and what they'd change. Young people took part in group discussions and voted on key policy questions, including whether under-16s should be banned from social media, whether tech companies should be required to end infinite scroll, and who bears the greatest responsibility for keeping children safe online.\n\nLeigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the Villages, said:\n\n> \"When we make decisions that affect young people, we should be making them with them, not to them. That's why I wanted to bring the Minister to Stafford, so that the students here could speak directly to the person helping to shape these policies.\n\n> “I think it’s really important we create a safe online environment, where companies are properly regulated and held accountable, and where children are supported to navigate the online world. Listening to the ideas and concerns from the young people at the event was such a vital perspective to take forward as the Government decides the best approach to do this.”\n\nGareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said:\n\n> “I share the Government’s commitment to protecting young people from the harms that they might encounter online but to best achieve this we need to hear the voices and experiences of those young people.\n\n> “That’s why it was great to have so many students take part in the consultation event and speak with the Minister directly. Their insight into the platforms that they use and their take on what works well and what needs to be improved is invaluable.”\n\nKanishka Narayan MP, Minister for AI and Online Safety, said:\n\n> \"Young people are the experts on their own online lives, and any policy on children's safety online has to start by listening to them. The students I met in Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent were thoughtful, informed, and didn't shy away from the hard questions - on infinite scroll, on age limits, on who should be held responsible when things go wrong.\n\n> \"I want to thank Leigh Ingham and Gareth Snell for bringing together young people from across Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent to share their views, and every student who took part. What they told me today will directly inform how we approach the consultation on banning social media for under 16s, and the wider work we are doing to make the online world safer for children.\"\n\nHeather McLachlan, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College said:\n\n> “In our academy trust, we understand that social media is part of daily life for our children and young people and that we are only beginning to understand its impact thanks to a growing research base. Our staff are using this research to try and navigate the best ways we can prepare students to navigate the positive and negative sides of social media”\n\nThe sessions form part of the Government's national conversation on children's digital wellbeing, launched in March 2026. The three-month consultation, which closes on 26 May, is seeking views from parents, young people, and educators on measures including potential age limits for social media, overnight curfews, and restrictions on addictive platform features such as autoplay and infinite scroll.\n\n####  Enjoyed this story?\n\nThe Staffordshire Signal is a not-for-profit, community-funded publication. Every tip helps keep local journalism free, independent, and focused on the stories that matter across Staffordshire.\n\nEvery contribution supports reporting, photography, and storytelling across the county.\n\nExplore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.\n\nSupport independent local journalism by selecting ****The Staffordshire Signal**** as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google. Help us stay front-and-centre in your news feed.",
  "title": "Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent students help shape debate on social media ban for under-16s",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-18T11:04:17.248Z"
}