Parents say they fear their children could be catfished or kidnapped by predators online as the Government considers a social media ban for under-16s.
Later this week, the House of Lords will gather to vote on an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - one which would require social media companies to block under-16s from their platforms within a year of the bill passing.
As part of the proposal, it is also looking at raising the digital age of consent and restricting features on apps that are designed to keep users engaged, such as "streaks" and "infinite scrolling."
The Northern Echo took to the streets of Darlington on Tuesday to speak to residents with many agreeing with the proposed ban.
A 36-year-old father and drivers mate from Darlington, said the ban "needs to be done", due to the worrying impact social media can have on children.
“Anyone can mimic an account and catfish a young child,” he said.
“I have two children and one step-son, and I worry about them talking to strangers, getting kidnapped, or worse.
“My step-son is 12 and he doesn’t go on social media besides his Xbox, which we monitor because even that can be risky.
“I would feel a bit safer for me and for them if they do something about it. It would be a move in the right direction.”
One couple - both aged 33 - told The Northern Echo they feel social media is a toxic place, especially for children.
"They're still quite underdeveloped and I don't think they can handle it as well as adults can," they said.
"You see it all the time that kids have lost their lives or things like that due to bullying online. They can easily get caught up in that world, when what they see isn't even real life."
Robbie Thompson, 29, a water park attendant and father-of-one from Bishop Auckland, said he supports the proposed ban.
He said: "Having grown up with social media, we were exposed to a lot of things we definitely shouldn't have been.
"There's all sorts to fear in this world, but you have to do your best for your kids.
"I'm definitely for the ban, and then when they're old enough they can make their own mind up if they want to be online."
Darlington's Megan Latue, 34, works as a teacher and said social media can have "detrimental effects" on young people's mental health.
She said: "I think there definitely needs to be something put in place to make it safer. It's nerve-racking to know they can talk to anyone online.
"We do a lot in school about keeping them safe online, and it works well in primary, but when they go off to secondary, it kind of falls off. I do think something needs to be done about that.
"There are so many detrimental effects it can have on their mental health at a young age and it understandably causes big worries among parents."
A 41-year-old dance teacher and mother-of-two, from Darlington, said that content on social media worries her.
She said: “I think it would be good to control online bullying and things like that for sure. The content they have is unnerving and that worries me as a mum.
“On the other hand, my son uses it to connect with his friends and the girls I teach at dance use it to search for inspiration and share what they’ve learnt. It’s a tricky situation because I can see both sides.”
Despite support for the ban, Catherine Waistell, mother-of-one, told The Northern Echo she doesn’t think it will work.
She said: “They will just want to be on it anyway, I know my 16-year-old would. They won’t listen and they’ll still go on it, which will just cause more problems for parents.
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A 22-year-old mother of two, from Darlington, noted that she plans to keep her children away from social media for a long time regardless.
“I was bullied online in my teens and I wouldn’t want that to happen to them,” she added.
“The ban would stop a lot of hate, and it would mean I can enforce that in them from a young age, so they wouldn’t feel pressured to join or feel like it’s been taken off them.”
Under the proposed ban, the government would publish screen time guidance for parents of children aged five to 16, with separate advice for parents of under-fives due in April.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said technology has the potential to improve lives, but only if people feel safe online.
Ms Kendall said: "We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them – and to give every child the childhood they deserve."
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Government is committed to keeping mobile phones out of schools.
Ms Phillipson said: "We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement.
"Mobile phones have no place in schools.
"No ifs, no buts."
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