Khan pledges £1.5m for Barnet youth as social media ban looms
Mayor says summer activities will divert young people from exploitation and crime after government restricts under-16s on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram
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Children under 16 in Barnet will be barred from using TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram from next year under a UK government ban. The measure was confirmed by Mayor Sadiq Khan during a visit to Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground in Enfield on 15 July 2024. Khan said the ban alone would not reduce youth crime but would form part of a wider strategy.
Khan announced a £1.5 million funding boost for summer activities aimed at diverting young people from exploitation and crime. The money will be delivered through a partnership between City Hall’s Violence Reduction Unit, the Premier League and 11 professional London football clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford.
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Why the summer holidays are a risk
Lib Peck, director of the Violence Reduction Unit, said school holidays leave vulnerable children without the safety and structure provided by school. The unit’s data shows a rise in youth crime during the summer months, particularly in boroughs with high deprivation, including Barnet.
The £1.5 million will fund football sessions, mentoring, arts and employability programmes across London. Alex White, chief executive of the Premier League Foundation, said the scheme would create safe spaces with trusted adults. Football clubs will act as a hook to engage young people, but activities will extend beyond sport.
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I want London to be the safest and best place to grow up for a young person anywhere in the world.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
What happens in Barnet
Barnet Council has not yet published details of local activities funded by the £1.5 million. A council spokesperson told News London that plans would be shared with residents in the coming weeks. The council is responsible for identifying venues and recruiting staff for the programmes.
The scheme builds on existing work in Barnet, where the council has run summer sports programmes in partnership with Arsenal in the Community. Last year, 450 children aged 11 to 16 took part in football and multi-sports sessions at Copthall Playing Fields in Mill Hill.
What happens next
The social media ban for under-16s will take effect in 2025, though the exact date has not been set. The government has not yet published guidance for parents or schools on enforcing the restrictions.
Barnet Council will confirm local venues and dates for the summer activities by the end of July. Residents can check the council’s website or sign up for email alerts. The council has not said whether there will be a limit on places or how children will be selected.
Khan said he would use new devolution powers to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training in London. The government announced on 12 July 2024 that mayors would gain control over post-16 education in their areas.
Questions this report answers
+When will the social media ban for under-16s start?
The UK government will ban children under 16 from TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram in 2025. The exact date has not been announced. Parents and schools will need to enforce the restrictions once they take effect.
+How much is being spent on summer activities in Barnet?
Mayor Sadiq Khan has allocated £1.5 million for summer activities across London, including Barnet. The money will fund football sessions, mentoring and employability programmes for young people at risk of exploitation.
+Who can take part in the summer activities?
Barnet Council has not yet published details of who can take part. Last year, 450 children aged 11 to 16 joined summer sports programmes in the borough. The council will confirm eligibility and how to apply by the end of July.
+What happens if my child is already on social media?
The government’s ban will apply to all children under 16 from 2025. It is unclear how existing accounts will be handled. The government has not yet published guidance for parents or schools on enforcing the restrictions.
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