European Union proposals to increase the minimum age for teenagers to use social media sites from 13 to 16 would not work, a Christian expert has told Premier.

New legislation being proposed by the EU would mean anyone under the age of 16 would need to get permission from parents to sign up to websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

"It's doomed to fail," said Bex Lewis a Christian and Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Talking to Premier's News Hour she said authorities were already struggling to enforce the 13 age restriction.

She added: "It's about creating an environment that people feel safer in, I think 16 is far too old.

"My gut instinct is that, that's going to be problematic.

"Legally I don't think they can enforce it."

If approved the new law would give sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Google two years to change their policies or face a hefty fine.