Hitchin Boys’ wow MP in debate on social media rules

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

FRIDAY 14^th NOVEMBER 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, Labour MP for Hitchin, was blown away by students at Hitchin Boys’ School when chairing their debate on social media rules this month.

Hitchin Boys debated the motion, “This house believes that there should be a two-hour social media screen time limit per day.”

The event, held in the school’s auditorium, brought together students across the year groups for a spirited discussion on one of today’s most pressing issues: the role of social media in young people’s lives.

Arguments ranged from concerns about mental health, addictive algorithms, and online harm, to the benefits of connectivity, creativity, and digital literacy.

The debate follows growing national interest in social media regulation, including petitions calling for a minimum age of 16 and recent parliamentary discussions on online safety.

The Online Safety Act, introduced this year, has already strengthened protections for under-18s by bringing in tougher age-verification measures.

Strathern has been a long-time campaigner on this issue, speaking regularly in Westminster debates and with campaigning groups on how we can make the internet a much safer place for young people.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“It was impossible not to be blown away by the passionate contributions from pupils of all ages.

“It’s fair to say the House of Commons could sometimes learn a lot from their thoughtful, informed and respectful approach to debating!

“As always, young people are three steps ahead of policy makers in understanding not just the benefits, but also the real harms that can come from the unchecked rise of social media.

“Events like this remind us that the conversation about online safety must include young people themselves. I look forward to continuing this debate in Parliament and beyond, armed with more powerful testimony from students about why things need to change.”

Notes for Editors

You can see photos from the event below.