Blackburn with Darwen’s council leader has urged the Government to ensure a planned ban on social media use by under‑16s is matched by a national effort to promote reading and cultural activities.
Local pitch to national policy
Councillor Phil Riley has written to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology after ministers set out proposals aiming to bar those under 16 from using social media, expected to come into force by spring 2027. In his letter, Cllr Riley welcomed the ambition to restore more traditional childhood experiences but argued that removing access to social platforms must be accompanied by positive, engaging alternatives.
“This involves less time for scrolling and more time for play and literature.”
He called for reading — books, comics and magazines — alongside cultural activities, to be made part of the national conversation around the ban. Cllr Riley said these alternatives help children build imagination, empathy and critical thinking and provide safer spaces in which young people can explore complex subjects.
Drawing on local work to make the case
The leader highlighted Blackburn with Darwen’s own efforts to encourage reading, pointing to the borough’s annual Children’s Literature Festival as an example of what can be done at community level. Founded by Blackburn author Christina Gabbitas, the festival is entering its tenth year in 2027 and has been used by the council as evidence that cultural programmes can reach significant numbers of children.
- Festival reach: more than 5,500 children and young people engaged through workshops and live events;
- Book gifting: over 2,000 books distributed to youngsters whose families might not otherwise be able to provide them;
- Notable participants: authors and illustrators, including an appearance from Michael Rosen in the most recent programme.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Children engaged | 5,500+ |
| Books gifted | 2,000+ |
| Festival anniversary | 10th year in 2027 |
The council leader argued that the borough’s festival demonstrates how targeted cultural work can be scaled and replicated, and he urged ministers to consider such initiatives when setting out accompanying measures to any social media restrictions.
What this could mean locally
For families in Blackburn with Darwen, a national ban on under‑16s’ use of social platforms would intersect with ongoing local efforts to promote reading and cultural engagement. If ministers accept the council’s suggestion, funding or national campaigns could flow to libraries, schools and community groups that already run literacy programmes, boosting existing schemes and potentially expanding outreach.
The council’s approach frames the proposed restriction not merely as a regulatory measure but as an opportunity to invest in alternatives that support children’s development. As the national timetable for the ban progresses, local authorities including Blackburn with Darwen will be watching to see whether ministers commit resources to the kinds of cultural and literacy initiatives Cllr Riley has urged.
