More than 100,000 people urge MPs to ban social media for under-16s in UK

‘Children are turning up age four at reception having spent far too much time on screens,’ Keir Starmer said. Photograph: Panther Media Global/Alamy

MPs’ inboxes have been flooded with letters calling for an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, as the prime minister indicated such a move was being considered.

More than 100,000 people have contacted their local MP since the grassroots organisation Smartphone Free Childhood launched an email campaign on Tuesday evening with a template calling for “reasonable, age-appropriate boundaries”.