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Woman's Hour

Social media ban for under 16s, Class privilege at Cambridge, Women's sports coaches

Woman's Hour

BBC

Society & Culture

4.22.9K Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Should the UK follow Australia in bringing in a social media ban for under 16s? The government has announced a consultation on the issue and peers debate the question as the former Conservative schools minister Lord Nash has tabled an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. It would require social media platforms to stop children under 16 from using their platforms within a year of the Bill passing. Nuala McGovern discusses this with Hannah Ortel from the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project, and Dr Fiona Scott, Senior Lecturer in digital literacies at the University of Sheffield.

How safe are the beauty treatments many women routinely use? MPs on the Science, Technology and Innovation Committee are investigating whether UK regulation is keeping pace with the scientific evidence behind products used by millions of women, from botox to hair relaxers, the latter predominantly used by Black women. Nuala is joined by the chair of the committee, Labour MP Dame Chi Onwurah, to discuss what the inquiry hopes to uncover.

Eat the Rich (but maybe not me mates, x) is the acclaimed comedy show from Jade Franks. A sharp, funny take on class privilege, it follows Jade’s first term at Cambridge after swapping life in a Merseyside call centre for one of the UK’s most elite universities. After a smash-hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe, the show is now being developed for TV.

Women who coach sports are twice as likely to suffer bullying and harassment as men, according to new research from the charity Women in Sport, which calls coaching in the UK a “hostile environment” for women. They spoke to 2,000 coaches about their experiences and found women are operating in a deeply unequal system, from pay and progression through to discrimination. They say many have quit, feeling unheard and undervalued. Lisa West from Women in Sport and Yasmin Clarke, a former pro tennis player and coach discuss.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Melanie Abbott

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.

0:07.0

Hello, I'm Greg Jenner, and good news,

0:09.5

Your Dead to Me, is back for a new series.

0:11.6

Here we go.

0:12.1

Yes, we'll explore Emperor Nero's notorious reign with Professor Mary Beard and Patton Oswald.

0:16.9

I would not want my daughter having the remote control, not alone an empire.

0:38.6

We'll dissect the decadent life of Philippe Duke-Dolion with Tom Allen. I've often tried to pretend I'm an aristocrat and being very quickly knocked down. And there'll be so much more with comedians like Olga Koch, Mike Mosniak and Rihelina. I'm excited. You're dead to me. The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Listen first on BBC Sounds.

0:43.2

Hello, this is Neula McGovern and you're listening to The Woman's Hour podcast.

0:49.4

Hello and welcome to the programme. Should the UK ban social media for under 16s?

0:55.3

Well, it's a question that many are asking today as the government launches a consultation on the issue.

1:02.1

There are thoughtful arguments on both sides about whether or not it would protect young people's well-being.

1:06.0

For example, some say parents need help in this radical way.

1:11.7

Others say it will drive kids to darker or more dangerous parts off the web. We're going to hear the debate this hour. But I'd also like to hear from you. And in particular, hear what your

1:16.9

children have told you about how they feel about a potential ban. What points are raised in the

1:24.2

debate in your house by you and by your child. What are the arguments for?

1:29.8

What are the arguments against? You can text the program. The number is 844-on-social on social media

1:35.3

or at BBC Woman's Hour or you can email us through our website. For a WhatsApp message or a voice

1:40.5

note, use the number 0-3-700-100-444.

1:44.7

We'll get into it in just a moment.

1:46.9

Also with us, the Labour MP, Dame Chi-on-Wura,

1:50.8

who is the chair of the Science, Technology and Innovation Committee,

1:55.5

and they are reviewing the safety of beauty products.

...

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