On Tuesday 20th January, our Project Manager joined BBC Radio Leicester to discuss the UK Government’s new proposal to ban social media use for under-16s.

At Love4Life, young people’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and social media has a significant impact on the lives of the girls and young people we support. Through our Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) programmes, delivered in schools we work directly with young people to explore the realities of social media - including topics such as online pressure, body image, consent, unhealthy relationships, misinformation and digital safety. We focus on helping young people think critically about what they see online, recognise risk, and build confidence and self-worth beyond social media validation.

During the discussion, we shared our frontline experience of how social media can affect mental health, particularly for vulnerable young people, while also recognising that bans alone are not a complete solution. Alongside regulation, young people need trusted adults, safe spaces and education to help them navigate the online world safely.

In addition to our work with young people, Love4Life also delivers workshops for parents, carers and professionals, including corporate sessions, focused on how to talk to your children including discussions about about social media.

We welcome national conversations that prioritise young people’s safety and wellbeing and will continue to share our insight to ensure policies reflect the real experiences of young people and families today.

Listen here: