Parents across Beverley and Holderness warn of growing social media pressure on children
Parents across Beverley and Holderness have raised serious concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on children, warning of rising anxiety, isolation and pressure to be online.
Graham, having been told of concerns about social media, launched a survey to see what parents think about keeping children safe online. Over four in five respondents supported stronger limits on smartphone and social media use for under-16s.
More than 80 percent rated the issue as a high priority, saying it directly affects children’s wellbeing and family life.
Parents from towns and villages across the constituency described similar problems, from constant comparison online to children spending less time talking and playing together in person.
Rebecca from Cherry Burton said the pressure often increases as children move to secondary school:
“At primary school this hasn’t been much of an issue, but I’m concerned about secondary school. From speaking to parents with children at local secondary schools, several rely on children having a smartphone to access homework and learning apps. Does this mean my child will have to have a phone whether I want them to or not?”
Susan from Woodmansey said phones are already changing how children spend time together:
“My kids wish their friends didn’t have phones. Play dates become watching friends on their phones, and parents feel under pressure to give children phones even when they would rather not.”
Another parent from Beverley said the effect on children’s mental health is clear:
“Children feel constant pressure to be online and to compare themselves with others. That pressure simply didn’t exist before smartphones.”
Parents repeatedly said they want to let children be children but feel that the spread of smartphones and social media is making that harder, even for families who want to set boundaries.
Graham has consistently argued that parents should be backed with clear rules to protect children online. This was adopted by the Conservatives as party policy earlier this year. He welcomed the Government’s decision to consult on these measures, saying it is right that ministers are now engaging with an idea that Conservatives have been advancing, and that the focus should remain on getting the details right for families and children.
Graham said:
“Parents across Beverley and Holderness are saying the same thing. Children are under constant pressure to be online, and families feel they are losing control over when and how smartphones enter their lives.
“This is not about being anti-technology. It is about backing parents, protecting children’s mental health, and letting children be children. I am taking these local voices into Parliament today.”
