Parents, carers and young people across Rochdale are being encouraged by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh to take part in a major new national consultation on children’s safety in the online world.
Launched this week, the consultation will gather views on how to better protect children and teenagers across social media, gaming platforms and emerging technologies such as AI chatbots.
It will consider a wide range of possible measures, including whether there should be a minimum age for social media, restrictions on addictive design features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and whether overnight curfews could help improve sleep and wellbeing for teenagers.
The consultation will also look at strengthening age verification, limiting certain AI chatbot features, and improving digital literacy support for parents and children. It closes on 26 May, with the Government set to respond in the summer.
Paul Waugh MP said:
“Across Rochdale, I regularly hear from parents who are worried about what social media and smartphones mean for their children’s sleep, concentration and mental health. Many feel they are up against platforms designed to keep young people scrolling late into the night.
“Others tell me they don’t want heavy-handed rules that simply push teenagers into less regulated corners of the internet. There are strong views on all sides, and that is exactly why this consultation matters.
“I want families, schools, youth organisations and young people across Rochdale to have their say. Whether it’s about a minimum age for social media, curfews, AI chatbots or stronger age checks, your experience on the ground should help shape what happens next.
“We all want children in Rochdale to grow up safe, confident and equipped with the digital skills they’ll need for the future. This consultation is an opportunity to make sure national policy reflects real life in our town.”
The Government has also said it will work with parents and teenagers to run real-world pilots testing potential interventions such as social media bans, overnight curfews and daily screen time limits, so that decisions are grounded in practical evidence as well as public views.
The consultation is open to everyone, including parents, carers, young people, schools, charities and those who work with children. Dedicated versions have been developed for parents and for young people to make it easier for them to share their experiences and views.