London-Preet Gill has issued an important appeal to parents living in Edgbaston, North Edgbaston, Quinton, Bartley Green and Harborne, encouraging them to take part in the Labour Government’s newly announced national consultation aimed at strengthening the safety of children both online and offline. As a former Children’s Manager, Gill said she understands deeply how vulnerable young people can be in the rapidly expanding digital world and why decisive action is urgently needed.
Gill stated that she is proud that the Labour Government is committed to acting swiftly and responsibly on this issue. She said the government “will not hesitate to make whatever changes are needed to keep our children safe,” stressing that keeping children protected—on social media, at school, and in their communities—must remain a national priority.
The wide-ranging consultation will explore how children use digital technology and will assess several major proposals. These include setting a minimum age for children to access social media platforms, placing restrictions on risky digital features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and reviewing whether the digital age of consent should be increased. The consultation will also examine how age-verification tools can be implemented effectively to support these protections.
Additionally, the consultation will consider whether guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools should be put on a statutory footing. Another key area is improving support for parents by providing clearer guidelines and more accessible parental controls to help families navigate the digital world safely.
Gill added that the voices of children and young people themselves will be central to the process. She urged parents to participate actively and share their concerns, experiences, and suggestions, noting that such contributions will play a crucial role in shaping safer digital policies for the future.