Children's Commissioner consults Suffolk children on future amid social media policy debate

The Children's Commissioner for England recently visited Ipswich as part of a nationwide tour promoting "The Big Future" survey, gathering children's perspectives on the issues that will shape their futures. The visit coincided with Westminster debates on proposed restrictions to limit children's access to social media, highlighting the timeliness of engaging young people on digital safeguarding and online safety. The tour represents a significant effort to ensure youth voice informs national policy development, particularly around the intersection of childhood and digital technology. By speaking directly to children in Suffolk, the Commissioner is seeking to understand their lived experiences and concerns regarding screen time, social media use, and online harms, ensuring that legislative proposals reflect the realities of young people's lives. For local authority cabinet members and Lead Members for Children's Services, the survey offers a model for aligning local youth engagement with emerging national policy on digital safeguarding. As new measures around children's online safety are considered, the initiative underscores the importance of listening to children when shaping services, safeguarding practices, and policies that affect their wellbeing, education, and future opportunities.