Former Strictly Come Dancing stars James Jordan and Vincent Simone have welcomed the Government’s incoming ban on under-16s using social media.The Prime Minister announced the ban following concerns that social media was unsafe, making children miserable and could cause lasting damage to their mental health. Welcoming the change, Jordan – who has a six-year-old daughter Ella with wife Ola Jordan – labelled the incoming ban “fabulous”.He told the Press Association: “Social media can be a really toxic place. I don’t think children under 16 years old should be subjected to it. They should be out playing and learning skills, not sitting there on a looking at people’s `perfect lives’ on Instagram.””The mental side as well, like the stuff that you’re subjected to on social media, they shouldn’t be seeing at that young age. I just hope that the ban is not just a flash in the pan. How are they going to stop it? Parents are already trying to keep their kids off it.”Jordan went on to label bullying that children can now experience at home through social media platforms as “horrific”. “You hear of child suicides and things like that, because where they’re being bullied, it needs to stop. It’s a dangerous, dangerous place,” he added.Simone – who has teenage sons Luca and Matteo – also said he supported the ban. “I’ve got two children and after school the oldest one goes on social media and the other plays games and every now and again, I go, `boys I miss you. I miss our time together. Where are you? You’re in the room, but you’re not in the room’.”So, for me, in general, all this technology really needs to be aside and just limit the time,” he said. Jordan added: “I just think it’s such a scary world out there for kids at the moment. I’m so glad I didn’t grow up in this generation. It’s hard.”Simone appeared on the BBC show from 2006 to 2012, and reached the final with singer Rachel Stephens and actress Dani Harmer. Meanwhile, Jordan was a professional dancer from 2006 to 2013 – and also won Dancing On Ice in 2019. The restrictions, set to be passed by Christmas and in place by spring next year, will leave technology firms liable for enforcement action if they fail to comply.Vincente Simone and James Jordan are among those who have welcomed the ban(Image: PA)
