The evidence for a proposed ban on access to social media for under-16s is overwhelming, according to Labour MP Peter Lamb.
Mr Lamb, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Wellbeing Economics, said that he had not only seen evidence of the harm but had heard from the leading experts on the subject.
He said that the ban would present challenges but said that the government still had a duty to act as he welcomed the announcement of action to protect children from harmful social media content.
Mr Lamb, the MP for Crawley, said that the proposed ban was an important step towards protecting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
The measures come amid growing concern about the effects of social media on children’s mental health, exposure to harmful content, online bullying and addictive platform design.
Mr Lamb also said that it was important to work with schools, parents, children’s charities and technology companies to ensure that any new restrictions were implemented effectively and fairly.
The government is expected to bring forward further details on enforcement measures and age verification requirements in the coming months.
Mr Lamb said: “As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Wellbeing Economics I have seen the evidence of the damage social media is doing to the mental health of young people and met with some of the leading researchers in the field.
“The evidence is overwhelming. As with all changes, there will be challenges with implementation.
“But that in no way removes the duty of a government to act and I am deeply relieved that the government is taking this action to protect developing brains.”
