Recently, there has been lots of discussion about the possibility of introducing stricter rules on social media use for young people. We went around the school to ask pupils what they thought. We heard a wide range of opinions, with some supporting the idea and others feeling it would be unfair.
Thomas in Year 8 said he doesn’t think a social media ban for under-16s is a good idea. He believes that parents should be responsible for deciding when children are allowed to use social media. However, he also said that younger children can sometimes see things online that they shouldn’t. Thomas thinks restrictions should only apply to children under 13. He believes apps like Facebook and Instagram aren’t really needed by younger teenagers, but YouTube should remain available because it can be used for learning as well as entertainment. Thomas thinks that if a ban was introduced it would be a big topic at first, but people would eventually get used to it. He also feels that spending less time on social media could improve people’s mental health. At the moment, Thomas estimates his daily screen time is around three to five hours and thinks it would reduce if stricter rules were introduced.
Harvey in Year 7 also said he doesn’t agree with the idea of a ban because he thinks lots of young people would be upset. He feels that Snapchat is important for keeping in touch with friends. Even though he isn’t in favour of the proposal, Harvey admitted that reducing social media use could help cut down on cyberbullying and improve mental health. Instead of scrolling through social media, he said he would probably spend more time watching television. Harvey currently has around two hours of screen time each day and thinks that would probably decrease.
We also spoke to Niamh in Year 8, who said she doesn’t think a ban for under-16s is necessary. Instead, she suggested that restrictions should only apply to much younger children. She feels Snapchat helps people stay connected with their friends, especially if they don’t see each other very often. Niamh thinks that if new rules were introduced there would be a lot of discussion about them. She also believes that spending less time online could have some benefits. Niamh estimated that her screen time is around nine hours a day and thinks it would reduce if stricter limits were put in place.
Another Year 7 pupil also shared his thoughts. He doesn’t think YouTube should be restricted because teachers often use it in lessons and pupils use it to learn new things outside of school. He also believes Snapchat is useful for staying in touch with friends. He thinks that if social media became less available, some people might become bored at first, but it could also encourage them to spend more time outdoors or learn new skills. He said he would use the extra time to practise an instrument and believes his overall screen time would definitely decrease.
Overall, it was interesting to hear a variety of opinions from pupils across the school. While many felt that social media is useful for keeping in touch with friends and learning new things, others recognised that spending less time online could have benefits, including improving mental wellbeing and reducing cyberbullying. Whatever happens in the future, it’s clear that social media is a topic that many young people feel strongly about.
By Romei A-C , Poppy G, Beth S & Polly T