Kaz Kamwi has expressed concern about how young people spend their free time in modern Britain, suggesting social media has dramatically changed childhood experiences compared to previous generations.
The reality TV personality, who rose to fame on ITV's hit dating show in 2021 before returning for Love Island All Stars, reflected on growing up before the rise of social media and questioned whether young people today have enough opportunities to socialise away from screens.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, the 31-year-old said one of her biggest concerns about young people was ensuring they had activities to enjoy outside of the online world.
"I grew up in Zambia, so I feel like I was outside all the time," she explained.
Ms Kamwi gained widespread fame as a finalist on Season 7 of Love Island in 2021 | ITVMs Kamwi, who was speaking on behalf of BestBettingSites.co.uk, the leading comparison site for online casinos, noted that social media arrived relatively late in her teenage years, allowing her to experience a childhood largely free from the influence of online platforms.
"I'm 31, so social media didn't come out until I was like... I made Facebook when I was maybe 15 or 16," she said.
"I played out, I used socials a little bit, but I didn't really get into it until uni. I made my Instagram the summer before going to uni."
Comparing that experience with the lives of young people today, the ITV star admitted she struggles to understand what many teenagers do away from their phones.
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"Young people now, I don't really know what they do outside," she said.
"Aside from shopping, sometimes they hang out at McDonald's, go on family holidays or chill with their mates. I'm not really around that many young people, so I'm always just like, 'What do you do?' I just see them online."
Her comments come amid growing debate over children's access to smartphones and social media, with politicians and campaigners increasingly calling for tighter restrictions on under-16s.
Ms Kamwi was also asked about proposals for a social media ban for children under 16, similar to measures introduced in Australia.
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Kaz Kamwi with fellow Love Island stars
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While she said she understood concerns about young people using social media at a young age, she stopped short of supporting an outright ban.
"I don't think it's the worst thing, but I don't think it's the best solution," she said.
"I feel like, do you need social media at that age? Probably not. However, I don't think it's the way."
Instead, the former Love Island contestant argued that stronger safeguards and age-appropriate restrictions would be more effective than prohibiting access altogether.
"I think there needs to be more appropriate laws that are put in place because I just think it's not realistic to ban it and people are going to find a way," she said.
"If I was 15 or 16, I'd find a way."
Kaz Kamwi | GETTYThe reality also pointed to wider changes in society, including remote working and increasingly digital lifestyles, which she believes make online communication an important part of how young people maintain friendships.
"I don't think it should be banned, but I think they should reinforce different restrictions or parental controls," she added.