Young people are helping shape national policy on online safety.
Clwyd North MP Gill German has welcomed the UK Government’s new children’s online safety consultation, describing it as a breakthrough moment in her long-running campaign on the issue.
Young people in her constituency will play a key role in shaping the reforms after she spent months gathering their views through an online safety campaign with local schools.
Ms German said: "With the Government launching this consultation, it's crucial that young people's real-world experiences are part of the national conversation.
"Young people are the ones living this digital reality.
"Their views on what works and what doesn't online should shape policy, not be an afterthought."
A former teacher and Denbighshire cabinet member for education, children and families, Ms German has championed reforms to improve internet safety for children.
The consultation, launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, invites feedback from parents, carers, teachers and young people on a wide range of new proposals.
Measures under consideration include a minimum age for social media use, mandatory overnight curfews for under-18s, and restrictions on design features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay.
The Government also wants views on strengthening age-verification systems and improving digital education for children and parents.
The three-month consultation closes on May 26.
Ms German said the process builds on the Online Safety Act 2023, which introduced tougher child-safety duties for tech platforms and expanded Ofcom’s powers to hold them accountable.
She has been gathering evidence through forums with year 10 and year 12 pupils.
Sessions have already taken place at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph and Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay, with more planned for the spring.
Ms German said: "As someone who has worked with young people my whole life, this is deeply personal to me.
"Some of the biggest risks facing our children today are not visible.
"They're happening online, on apps and devices, away from the adults who care about them.
"We need to hear directly from young people about what's really going on, and we need to act on it."
Earlier this year, she circulated a survey to pupils.
She is encouraging families, schools and young people to engage with the national consultation before the May deadline.
Ms German says this will ensure further reform is guided by those experiencing the digital world every day.
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