Luciana Berger: ‘Social media pushes never-ending harmful content onto young people’

She added that the bill to ban social media for under-16s follows “years of campaigning by bereaved families, teachers, parents and doctors” and that every day of delay in implementing such a ban “is a risk to children’s safety”.

Polls indicate that there is support for the proposal among both Labour members and the general public. Berger claimed that 73 per cent of Labour members would back the government if it acted to prevent under-16s from using social media platforms. Wider polling has put support at 75 per cent of all voters.

“Young people, increasingly, are asking why it is taking adults so long to protect them from social media,” she said.

The government is being pressed to take a stand against social media giants (Photo: Getty)Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

In January, ministers launched a consultation on whether to ban social media as part of a package of measures designed to reduce mobile phone use among young people. Today marked the final day for the public to submit feedback online.

In December, Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. Sir Keir Starmer has expressed he is open to introducing similar measures in the UK, but is reportedly waiting for further evidence on the impact of Australia’s legislation before making a decision.

Later today the prime minister will meet with bereaved parents who, Berger wrote, “will be clear that the government commitment must be delivered upon”.

She added: “Whatever is going on in Westminster, there can be no equivocation. No ifs, no buts. We must get this job done.”

Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary earlier this month, joined calls for a ban, comparing tech companies to the tobacco industry and accusing them of using similar tactics to avoid regulation.

Ministers are expected to review the consultation findings and reach a decision in the coming weeks.