Phil Riley urges young people to read as social media ban looms

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Phil Riley has used a letter to argue that the planned social media ban for under-16s should be matched by a push to get more young people reading.

The UK government has announced a ban on social media use for under-16s, intended to come into force by Spring 2027.

Cllr Riley has written to Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, saying it is an “ideal opportunity” to encourage children and young people to take up reading.

He also highlighted the Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Literature Festival, saying the 9th festival has recently taken place.

In his letter, he said the festival was founded by award-winning Blackburn author Christina Gabbitas, a patron of Blackburn with Darwen Library Service, and that she works with the council’s library team and volunteers to deliver it each year.

Cllr Riley said this year’s festival reached more than 5,500 children and young people through in-person events and workshops, and more than 2,000 books were given to children and young people whose families may not have been able to provide them.

He said the festival also brought together authors and illustrators, adding that this year it included a visit from English children’s author and poet Michael Rosen.

He wrote: “This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a generation of young people to the wonders of reading – please take it!”

In 2027, the festival will mark its 10th anniversary.