Bedford singer Tom Grennan has said he supports banning under-16s from social media, calling the platforms a “dangerous place for kids”.
Speaking to the Bedford Independent ahead of his major hometown show in Bedford Park this summer, the singer said becoming a father had reshaped his views on how young people use social media.
“I think it should be,” he said when asked if he would support a ban, “I don’t think kids should be on social media. I don’t think it’s a kind place where they can learn about positive things.”
The issue has become a growing political debate in the UK, with ministers considering an Australia-style ban on social media access for under-16s as part of wider plans to protect children online.
Read: UK weighs Australia-style social media ban for children under 16 (Reuters)
UK debate growing
The government has launched a consultation exploring measures including setting a minimum age for social media use, restricting addictive design features such as infinite scrolling, and introducing digital curfews for younger users.
The discussion follows Australia’s landmark legislation, which introduced a national ban on social media accounts for children under 16, forcing platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage users from signing up.
Supporters of similar measures in the UK argue that social media can expose children to harmful content and contribute to issues including anxiety, bullying and unrealistic comparisons.
Grennan believes the culture of comparison online can shape young people’s thinking in unhealthy ways.
“It plants seeds in kids’ heads, and it’s a fake world,” he said, “That competition thing of ‘I want what they have’… there’s no ambition in it.
“To be honest, it’s a dangerous place for kids.”
What is the UK considering?
The UK government is currently consulting on stronger protections for children online, including the possibility of restricting social media use for under-16s.
The discussion follows Australia’s recent decision to introduce a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, placing responsibility on platforms to prevent underage users from signing up.
In the UK, ministers are exploring a range of options rather than a full ban, including stricter age-verification checks, limits on addictive design features such as infinite scrolling, and possible curfews on when younger users can access apps.
The consultation is part of wider efforts to strengthen online safety rules for children under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
You can take part in the open consultation at gov.uk.
Read: Growing up in the online world: a national consultation (Gov.uk)
However, the idea of a ban remains controversial.
Critics argue that blanket restrictions may not fully address the underlying issues, with campaigners and charities warning that banning mainstream platforms could drive children to “darker online spaces” where safety protections are weaker.
Read: Hundreds of UK teenagers to pilot social media bans and restrictions (The Guardian)
Others have raised concerns about how any ban would be enforced, particularly if age verification requires large amounts of personal data or if young users simply find ways around the rules.
Researchers have also urged policymakers not to rush into legislation without strong evidence about the long-term impacts.
Stepping away from social media
Read: Fans, venues and local heroes shine in Bedford’s “love letter” to Tom Grennan
Grennan himself has recently stepped back from social media altogether, saying he needed time away from the constant flow of information.
“I’m completely off social media right now,” he said, “I decided to come off socials. It was time. I needed to dip out for a second and reconnect with myself, reconnect with the real world and not look into other people’s lives.”
He said the endless cycle of negative news online had also contributed to his decision.
“I don’t really like hearing bad news,” he added, “I feel like it’s constant bad news on there.”
Bedford return
Grennan was speaking ahead of his return to Bedford this summer, when he will headline a major hometown show.
The singer, who grew up in the town, is set to perform at Bedford Summer Sessions in Bedford Park, bringing what he told our sister publication, the Bedford Clanger, would be one of the biggest concerts the town has seen in years.
Grennan said the homecoming gig means a lot to him and remains proud of his Bedford roots.
“Bedford boy’s coming home,” he joked.
Tickets and full event details for Tom Grennan’s Bedford Summer Sessions gig and all others in the series are available at smmrsessions.com/locations/bedford.
