Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock has backed ongoing calls for a social media ban for under-16s, amid an ongoing crisis surrounding trolling and online abuse.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, the singer, 34, detailed how she had witnessed the ‘hardcore toxicity’ of social media and said: ‘It’s getting more rife, trolling and bullying online and I think it’s like people are out for blood’.
Following Little Mix’s formation in 2011, the group were plagued with social media hatred – particularly aimed at former band member Jesy Nelson, who confessed trolling had led her to a suicide attempt before she quit in 2020.
Leigh-Anne’s witnessing of the abuse is echoed in her call, as she told Sally Nugent and Jon Kay: ‘I would say yes, I think it should be banned [for under-16s]..
‘Because I really seen the toxicity of it as well, like, and it is hardcore out there and people are hiding behind a screen as well so they can essentially just say anything’.
Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock has backed ongoing calls for a social media ban for under-16s, amid an ongoing crisis surrounding trolling and online abuse
Following Little Mix’s formation in 2011, the group were plagued with social media hatred – particularly aimed at former band member Jesy Nelson (L-R: Jade Thirwall, Leigh-Anne, Perrie Edwards, Jesy)
Jesy, who left the group in 2020, confessed relentless trolling had led her to a suicide attempt
It was confirmed last month that The House of Lords backed the move to ban under-16s in the UK from social media platforms, which Leigh-Anne supported.
Speaking about dealing with being online, Leigh-Anne said: ‘It is a lot to deal with but I think surrounding yourself with your tribe, people that believe in you, see your vision, get you, understand you. Also just giving yourself breaks from social media…
‘Putting the phone down. It can be so intense and scary but ultimately just believe in yourself and you know who you are and go for it.’
Sally said: ‘It’s interesting we talk about young women going into the music industry. What about young women just going to school every day and going, you know, being in a class full of people, some of whom are kind and some of whom aren’t…
‘You know measuring themselves against their peers, physically and emotionally. Do you think maybe it’s time we didn’t let young, younger children, maybe under-16s have social media? Should it be banned for under-16s?’
Leigh-Anne agreed with the call, which last month saw 261 votes to 150, as opposition peers voted to support a ban through an amendment to the schools bill.
The government alluded to the attempt to overturn the amendment in the Commons, whilst it holds its own consultation on a potential ban.
![Leigh-Anne's witnessing of the abuse is echoed in her call, as she told Sally Nugent and Jon Kay: 'I would say yes, I think it should be banned [for under-16s]'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2026/02/24/16/106640443-15588397-image-a-21_1771949215728.jpg)
Leigh-Anne’s witnessing of the abuse is echoed in her call, as she told Sally Nugent and Jon Kay: ‘I would say yes, I think it should be banned [for under-16s]’
Jesy spoke out about her November 2013 suicide bid in a bid to raise awareness of the horrendous effect trolling can have on young people (pictured December 2011)
Little Mix, also comprising Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall, have been particularly impacted by trolling after the heartbreaking consequences faced by Jesy.
In 2019, prior to leaving the band, Jesy revealed in her BBC documentary Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out that she tried to take her life after years of relentless trolling.
The star revealed that at the height of her bullying, following the group’s 2011’s X Factor win, she took an overdose, but was saved by her boyfriend at the time.
Opening up about her harrowing time, Jesy said in her documentary: ‘I just remember thinking, “I just need this to go away, I’m going to end this”.
‘I remember going to the kitchen and just took as many tablets as I could. Then I laid in bed for ages and kept thinking, “Let it happen. Hurry up”‘.
Leigh-Anne is pictured leaving the BBC studios after her appearance
A source told The Sun that she had ‘confessed’ to her partner what she done, with an ambulance then swiftly dispatched.
They added that her family members, a member of her management team and her Little Mix bandmates were ‘devastated’ when they found out.
Jesy said she chose to open up about her November 2013 suicide bid in an effort to raise awareness of the horrendous effect trolling can have on young people.
Speaking further about her ordeal in the documentary, Jesy continued: ‘I just remember thinking this is never going to go…
‘I’m going to constantly wake up and feel sad for the rest of my life. So what is the point in being here? I physically couldn’t tolerate the pain any more.’
The film also shows that she struggled so much with abuse that it affected her mental health and thus she had trouble keeping up with her commitments in the group.
For confidential 24/7 support in the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Jesy memorably broke down during the competition as she discussed how hard it had been dealing with negative comments from complete strangers (pictured in 2011 with Jade, left)
