John Swinney backs Record's youth violence campaign and considers u16s social media ban

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First Minister John Swinney has backed the Daily Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign as he vowed to consider a social media ban for under-16s.

Swinney confirmed his government would "look at measures to tackle the negative effects" of social media after a similar ban was introduced in Australia last month. The restrictions, which will not take effect for at least 12 months, could see tech companies fined up to A$50m (£25.7m) if they don't comply with the new rules.

The move comes as Scotland battles a youth violence epidemic and amid the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which has repeatedly called on tech giants to do more to protect youths online. Our Kids ... Our Future was launched in February 2022 after we reported on a concerning series of attacks on teens and children across the country.

In most cases, violent incidents involving youths were filmed and uploaded to social media for "likes and popularity" before going viral - leaving victims humiliated and requiring mental health support.

Speaking of a potential ban in Scotland, Swinney told the Record last night: "It is vital that we ensure our children’s wellbeing is protected from the negative effects of social media. There is now a growing awareness that social media can lead to disruption in school and increased incidents of cyberbullying, as has been highlighted previously by the Daily Record’s Our Kids ... Our Future campaign.

“We must ensure that our children can enjoy the benefits of social media whilst shielding them from the dangerous consequences; and we remain in discussion with the UK Government on this issue.”

Daughter of Rangers legend Iain Ferguson, Kelsey Ferguson, who was tormented by bullies in her youth, said Swinney's pledge to consider a ban would be "beneficial" for the children of today.

The 34-year-old, who was targeted by her bullies in-person and online, told the Record: "Social media impacted my life massively as a kid. I think it's great that Swinney has recognised there is a problem here - it has been going on for years and there will likely still be problems online for children for years to come.

"It's how we deal with them now that matters because we can't continue to ignore it. If we turn a blind eye to it, it'll only continue to get worse.

"Trolling and violence was bad when I was growing up but it is much, much worse now. I was taunted and threatened online but what we see now is full-scale beatings and attacks on children on almost every platform.

"It's never going to go away until we start treating online harm like attempted murder and robbing a bank. There are no repercussions for online harm now, which is probably why our kids are being exposed to so much for it. A ban would be beneficial for children.

"While it's great Swinney has said he'll consider it, I think social media giants should be picking up some of the buck too. They need to do more to safeguard young users. Without them also stepping up, trolling will always be there."

Speaking earlier this week, Swinney said: "The Scottish Government will look at the measures necessary to tackle the negative effects that can come from social media on young people. There are many benefits of social media, but we have to be cognisant of the fact that there can be damaging effects of social media.

"We have engaged in dialogue on this question with the United Kingdom Government and of course the Australian Government has taken action in this respect. There are issues to be addressed. We must at all times be vigilant about protecting the safety of children and young people, and we must be conscious of some of the damaging effects that there can be from social media activity."

In October, a childhood emergency was declared in Scotland due to a surge of online bullying and attacks on kids. Announcing the national alert via the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, experts at Children First warned that the experience of growing up in the country is worse than it has ever been before.

Vicky Donald, whose 14-year-old daughter, Kaylynn, was battered on a bus on her way home from school in Ladybank in Fife in October 2022, admitted that her child changed "entirely" after the attack. The incident, which went viral on multiple platforms, left the schoolgirl, then 12, suicidal and requiring mental health support.

Vicky said that social media "robbed" her daughter of her childhood.

The 38-year-old said: "Kaylynn changed entirely after the video of her attack went viral. She was sent constant reminders of her attack online, it tormented her day and night. It felt endless because of social media, it essentially ended up robbing her of her childhood.

"Social media forces children to grow up quicker when they're exposed to adult content. It strips them of their innocence. What Australia has put in place is brilliant and I welcome Swinney's considerations to follow suit.

"If there was a ban, I certainly believe it would help to curb this youth violence epidemic in Scotland. There'd be less of a desire to film and upload these attacks for the "likes and popularity" kids seem to crave online. Bullies would also have less access to their victims and it would give victims a break."

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She continued: "Social media is vast becoming a part of parenting. It feels like it is a third parent sometimes.

"There'll be what dad says, mum says but also what social media dictates to them. While a kid has got to sit down and listen to their parents, if they've got access to social media, it will have a huge influence on them. It takes a lot of power away from parents. The consideration of a ban is a starting point and I hope that Australia has planted the seed."

Powers over online harm and mobile phones are not devolved and lie with the UK Government.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister has called for stronger regulation on social media platforms to protect children and young people. Scottish Ministers will continue to engage with the UK Government on this issue.”

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