NORTH Dorset’s MP has stepped up calls for tougher action on children’s use of social media, warning that they are being left “on a precipice” while government delays decisive intervention.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday during a debate on Mobile Phones and Social Media: Use by Children, Simon Hoare urged ministers to move beyond consultation and act swiftly to protect young people from what he described as well-evidenced harms.

He told MPs: “The Secretary of State has demonstrated her commitment and interest in this issue at the Dispatch Box this afternoon, and we thank her for that.

“However, with the greatest respect, if social media had just arrived in our sitting rooms two weeks ago, a consultation might be necessary, but the canon of evidence about the demonstrable harms being done to our young is now very clear; that is what we have all read in our inboxes in recent days.

“The consultation will not throw up anything that we do not already know.

“To govern is to choose. Can I urge the government to choose to act swiftly… because too many of our young people are on a precipice?”

His intervention comes amid growing international debate on the issue, following moves in Australia to impose minimum age limits for social media use – measures Mr Hoare has said are worthy of serious consideration in the UK.

Outside Parliament, the MP has also been vocal in urging public support for tighter regulation.

Mr Hoare has written directly to constituents, many of whom he says have contacted him with concerns about children’s access to social media.

In his letter, he explained: “I have been contacted by a large number of constituents asking for my views regarding young people and their access to social media. I thought it might be useful if I set out in a little detail my thinking.

“I do so not just as your MP but, and more importantly in the context of the issue, as a father of three teenage daughters.”

Reflecting on the digital revolution, he added: “A brave new world beckoned. It has become, for many, a nightmare.

“Young people glued to screens. Friendship defined by followers and likes rather than reality. Bullying becoming a 24-hour phenomenon for too many young people as it moves from schools to homes.

“Clear and demonstrable harm to many people’s mental health. Sitting around staring at a screen also isolates too many people from the world around them. Populism and extremism are given free rein.

“Necessary skills of face-to-face communication, participating in team sports, building real friendships with real people are all being hollowed out.”

Mr Hoare has written to residents.

Mr Hoare acknowledged that parents also bear responsibility, saying adults often model the very behaviours they criticise.

However, he believes government has a duty to intervene, pointing to Australia’s recent action as having “great merit”.

The MP has also been active on social media, pointing to the Get Children off Social Media petition.

Writing on Facebook, he said: “Kemi Badenoch is absolutely right about this. As a result of pressure, the government has said it will consult – but it can just get on with this.

“Please sign this petition to register your support for this campaign. This government has a habit of going back on its promises.

“Let’s hold it to account and help make our children safer online.”

Mr Hoare is promoting the online petition.

For many families across North Dorset, his message strikes a familiar chord – and raises a pressing question: how long should policymakers wait before acting on what, he argues, is already painfully clear?