Graham has welcomed new Conservative plans to protect children from the harms of social media and help families give children a healthier childhood.
The policy would introduce age restrictions on social media platforms for under-16s, while protecting free speech for adults and avoiding the need for government digital ID.
The issue matters deeply to families across Beverley and Holderness, particularly in rural and coastal communities where parents already face strong pressure from screens, social media, and online content.
Children are now spending record amounts of time online and are often exposed to harmful material they are not actively searching for. Experts warn this is contributing to poorer mental health, disrupted sleep, isolation, and knock-on effects for learning and behaviour.
Polling shows strong support for action. A clear majority of parents back a social media age limit, as do most young people themselves.
Graham ran a survey asking for views on a possible social media ban in May last year, which saw 67 local residents respond:
- Around 81 percent of respondents support restricting social media accounts for under-16s.
- Around 79 percent support keeping smartphones out of schools for under-16s.
The Conservative plan places responsibility on technology companies rather than families. Platforms would be required to use age checks without any requirement for government digital ID. Messaging apps used for everyday family communication would not be included.
Locally, Graham has worked closely with schools across Beverley and Holderness, meeting headteachers, raising concerns about behaviour, attendance, and pupil wellbeing, and supporting schools facing pressure. As former Chairman of the Education Select Committee, he has consistently argued for clear boundaries, strong leadership, and policies that help children focus, learn, and thrive.
The policy would also learn from Australia’s approach and fix flaws in existing online safety laws to ensure adults remain free to access lawful content.
Graham is inviting parents, carers, residents and school communities across Beverley and Holderness to share their views and add their names in support of a responsible approach to protecting children online at: www.grahamstuart.com/safeonline
Graham Stuart MP said: “Parents want help, not lectures. This policy is about supporting families to set boundaries and letting children enjoy real childhoods.
“We already place age limits on things we know can harm children. This is about backing parents, not replacing them.”
Professor Jonathan Haidt, Leading Campaigner and author of The Anxious Generation, said:
“Bravo to the Conservative Party for taking this important step to roll back the phone-based childhood and improve the mental health and human development of British children.”
Shadow Secretary of State Laura Trott MP said:
“Parents are rightly worried about the impact of social media on their children. This policy is about backing families, setting clear boundaries, and making sure technology works for society, not against it. Children deserve the chance to grow up healthy, confident, and safe.”
