‘It felt hypocritical’: child internet safety campaign accused of censoring teenagers’ speeches

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Robert Booth UK technology editorFebruary 8, 2026 at 06:57 PM

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Childnet, a UK internet safety charity funded by tech companies, is facing accusations of censoring speeches by two teenagers invited to speak at a Safer Internet Day event in London in 2024. Lewis Swire and Saamya Ghai allege that Childnet edited out portions of their speeches that were critical of social media, including warnings about addiction and its negative impact on mental health. The edits removed references to the addictive nature of platforms like TikTok and Snap, and questioned the value of excessive screen time. Swire expressed feeling censored and betrayed, particularly due to Childnet's funding sources. Childnet denies censoring the speeches to appease tech funders, stating they support young people's voices. The 2026 Safer Internet Day event, supported by over 2,800 schools, is scheduled for Tuesday.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Edinburgh 30% Buckinghamshire 30% Netflix 40% United States 40% London 40% TikTok ×250% Snap ×260% Roblox 60% Meta 60% Saamya Ghai ×270% Lewis Swire ×580% Childnet ×790%

Keywords

internet safety 90% censorship 80% social media addiction 80% childnet 70% tech companies 70% online safety 60% conflict of interest 50% youth advisory board 50% safer internet day 50%