Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chair of the domestic violence charity Refuge, has expressed strong support for a proposed social media ban for children under 16, calling it “a brilliant idea” to curb abuse and harassment.

Speaking after being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) at Buckingham Palace, she highlighted the link between social media and rising levels of abuse among schoolchildren.

Barkworth-Nanton cited recent legislation in Australia, where the Senate approved a ban on social media access for minors under 16, as a potential blueprint for action. “Personally, I think it’s a brilliant idea, and I think it ties really neatly in with the work we do around tech abuse,” she stated.

Acknowledging the challenges of isolating young people while enforcing such a policy, she added, “If we can turn that into the norm, then I think it’s absolutely the right way to go.“

Barkworth-Nanton underlined the alarming prevalence of harassment in schools, particularly among girls.

“We are seeing something like well over 30% of young girls in schools are saying that they have experienced sexual harassment or abuse, and that is a direct result of social media.”
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton

She pointed out that social media platforms often serve as tools for harassment, with abusive behavior and explicit images being shared online. This trend, she argued, is deeply damaging to young people and demands urgent intervention.

To combat these issues, she urged schools to take proactive measures, such as banning mobile phones, while calling on tech companies to refine algorithms that currently “specifically target dangerous content to young people.“

Barkworth-Nanton stressed the critical role of education in addressing both domestic abuse and the broader issue of youth harassment. “The most important thing would be absolutely the education situation today in our schools,” she said, citing the negative influence of online figures like Andrew Tate and unrestricted access to pornography as factors contributing to harmful behaviors.

She expressed concern about a culture where “young boys are abusing young girls in our schools,” emphasizing that societal attitudes must change to prevent future generations from perpetuating abuse.

She argued that an “absolute overhaul” of the criminal justice system is also essential. Many survivors of domestic abuse hesitate to report their experiences due to a lack of trust in law enforcement. “They do not trust they will get the right response,” she noted.

Reality of Domestic Abuse

Statistics highlight the scale of domestic abuse in the UK, with one in five adults experiencing it during their lifetime. Around three women die by suicide every week as a direct result of domestic abuse, and every 30 seconds, a domestic abuse-related call is made to emergency services.

Despite these figures, it is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse incidents are reported to the police, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reform and greater public awareness.

As Barkworth-Nanton continues her advocacy work, her CBE recognition reflects her commitment to combating domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable communities. Her calls for stricter social media controls and systemic changes highlight the intersection of technology, education, and justice in addressing these pressing societal issues.