Children are being exploited by tech giants and should be banned from using social media, according to a leading champion of childhood. Miriam Cates says that just as tough rules are in place to stop gambling and tobacco industries exploiting children, action is needed to protect young people from exploitation by the companies behind social networks.

She argues there is no way children can “meaningfully consent” to how their data is used.

The former Conservative MP who is now a presenter for GB News and a senior fellow at the Centre for Social Justice said: “I think we should absolutely ban social media for under-16s. When you think about what children are doing and accessing on there – and what data the big tech companies have about them – there is no way that a child can meaningfully consent to that and I think we need to see this as actually exploitation of our children by big tech. We have very strong rules that stop the advertising industry, the gambling industry, the tobacco industry, the pharmaceutical industry from exploiting our children...

“Why we think the tech industry is benevolent, I don’t know.” She is concerned that lonely children spend hours looking at screens.

“People used to have bigger families,” she says. “Now you’ve got fewer siblings to play with. Kids are just becoming isolated and the phone is taking the place of sport, social activities, family time, exercise, reading.”

Last year then-US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for smoking-style warning labels to be put on social media platforms. This would warn people they are “associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents”.

In the UK, the Netflix drama Adolescence has heightened awareness of the potential harm caused by online cyber-bullying, exploitation and exposure to misogyny.

A ban on under-16s using social media is due to come into force in Australia in November.

Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC, said: “Children and young people use social media to learn, connect with friends and access confidential advice and support. We believe that blanket bans on under 16s accessing these services would not only undermine teenagers’ rights to take part in online activity, but could drive them to less secure, unregulated spaces which may put them at greater risk.

“At the same time, children need to be protected from the harm they face every day on social media platforms. But instead of the onus being put on children, tech companies must design and implement robust safety features on their sites to tackle the risks young people face.

“It is crucial that services are held accountable for ensuring children and young people have safe experiences on their platforms, which includes detecting and removing illegal content, disrupting harm when it takes place, and effectively enforcing minimum age limits. Ambitious implementation of the Online Safety Act by Ofcom, supported by the Government, is vital to driving this change from services.”

A spokesperson for the Children’s Society said: “Smartphones and social media are now woven into the fabric of modern life, used for learning, connection and safety. Yet for children and young people, these tools can also carry risks and those risks need action, not avoidance.

“The solutions include making sure that tech companies are proactive around dismantling harmful algorithms and designing platforms with safety as the default. Real protection requires regulators, companies and communities to unite and proactively safeguard young people’s online world.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to keeping young people safe online. Last month, laws under the Online Safety Act targeting illegal material came into force, and by summer platforms have to take steps to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences online. We also know there will be more to do and have already commissioned a study of current research on the impact of social media and smartphones on children’s well-being.

“This evidence base will help inform next steps in the safety of children online.”