29 Mar 2025
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology, has been on a safer screens tour of local schools. Here she explains why…
Whether in primary school or sixth form, today’s children are growing up in a world defined by the internet, and it is a powerful tool.
When used correctly, the internet can be full of opportunity, creativity, and connection – but also presents serious challenges that we cannot ignore, especially when it comes to young people. As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology I’ve been driving our response to this key issue of online safety for young people locally and nationally.
Over the past few weeks, I have embarked on a Safer Screens Listening Tour of schools across Harpenden. I’ve sat down with students, teachers, and parents to hear their views on how social media, smartphones, and the wider online world impact the lives of young people.
This tour was launched with one aim: to listen and learn directly from those affected, and use what I hear to shape my views and contribute to future policy decisions as informed as I can be.
There’s no substitute for hearing these stories firsthand. If we’re serious about safeguarding the next generation, we must build solutions around the lived experience of those impacted.
For true, effective change: we must start to listen.
Though I’ve visited several schools and met with young people from a range of backgrounds, their concerns were the one thing they had in common. The students I spoke to are deeply worried about not just what they are seeing, but what their peers and younger siblings see online daily.
Some told me they felt exposed to harmful content far too easily, and told me they have seen content ranging from violent videos, unhealthy body standards, and manipulative messaging.
More than that however, is the amount of time they’re spending online with some young people even talking about ‘brain rot’. They recognise, like many of us, they’re being pulled in by addictive algorithms that know exactly how to keep their attention. That content and time online includes the constant pressure to compare themselves to others online – subtle, but effective, in pushing harmful body images through a distorted lens.
What’s more is the adults that see them everyday can notice the shift too. Parents have shared with me their growing concern that young people are living increasingly digital lives which is impacting them.
Many schools are doing exceptional work across the constituency, such as integrating social media literacy into the curriculum, but they cannot do it alone. It is now time for a joined-up approach with schools, families, policymakers, and companies working together to create a safer online environment for the next generation.
That’s why we were so disappointed that Labour watered down the Safer Phones Bill and why we’re picking up the baton where the Government has dropped it. As the Lib Dem spokesperson for Technology I started with our amendments to the Data Bill on the digital age of data consent to strengthen protections for young people. We’re also calling for a Safer Screens Taskforce to ensure a public health approach to children’s social media use across all Government departments to drive evidence-based and innovative solutions to protect young people.
We must create a digital world where young people can be safe and respected. This means stronger protections, more accountability from tech companies, and better tools to support parents and educators.
But above all, it means listening to young people themselves. Their voices have been loud and clear throughout my tour, and I intend to carry their message forward in Parliament. We’ll keep fighting to make sure young people are properly protected.
