UK Considers Social Media Ban for Under-16s Amid Safety Concerns

The UK government is currently considering strong new rules for how children use social media, including a possible ban for those under 16. This discussion comes after a public consultation, which is a process where the government asks for opinions from the public, recently closed. Many families and campaigners are urging the government to act quickly, saying that social media has caused serious harm, and even death, to young people.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has promised to take "decisive" action after meeting with parents who believe their children died because of social media use. According to BBC News, Sir Keir said it was important to act and that any action would be a "game-changer." However, some parents are not fully confident that the government will take strong enough steps. Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died in 2022, told the BBC that she has heard promises before and remains "sceptical" until she sees real change. Mariano Janin, whose daughter Mia took her own life at 14 in 2021 after online bullying, also told the BBC he would "like to believe" action will be taken, but noted that the situation remains the "same status quo" with tech companies quickly releasing new products, like AI chatbots.

Campaigners are broadly divided on whether a complete ban on social media apps for children is the best way forward. The Guardian Technology reports that some ministers have already pledged to introduce an Australia-style ban for under-16s or to restrict "addictive" features like infinite scrolling. Since March, the government has been asking parents and children about measures such as app curfews and stronger age checks, even trying these out in some UK homes.

Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, stated to BBC News that the question is not whether the government will act, but that they "will." She added that new measures for under-16s are expected by the end of 2026, with a response to the consultation published in the summer. The government's review is looking at many different issues and features of social media.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who recently left Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet, has strongly called for a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK. According to BBC News, Streeting accused regulators and politicians of being "asleep at the wheel." He compared the tactics of big tech companies to those of big tobacco, saying they design platforms to be addictive and harmful to children. The Guardian Technology reported that Streeting believes there is "a growing body of evidence about the impact of this technology on childhood," affecting sleep, concentration, learning, health, and mental well-being. He emphasized that the "precautionary principle" should apply, meaning action should be taken quickly to prevent harm.

Streeting, now "liberated" to speak more freely, said he had pushed for stronger action while in government. He cited evidence from Australia, which has banned social media for under-16s, as proof that such measures can prevent harm, even if some children find ways around the ban. He called the slow approach to this issue "pretty shocking."

However, not everyone agrees on a full ban. Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life after seeing harmful content online, is a prominent online safety campaigner. According to The Guardian Technology, Russell believes a complete ban would create a "cliff edge," meaning teenagers would be suddenly exposed to harmful content on unchanged platforms once they turn 16. Instead, he supports a more detailed approach: blocking under-16s from platforms that do not meet strict safety rules, while allowing them to use "safe" apps. Russell also wants a ban on "aggressive algorithms" that show harmful content to teens and a focus on features like infinite scrolling and autoplay.

Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023, supports raising the age limit for social media. She believes social media addiction contributed to her daughter's mental health problems and led her to take risks with her safety. The Guardian Technology reports that Ghey, who founded the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project to promote online safety education, also wants limits on addictive features and more help for teens to understand the online world. She stressed that simply taking something away is not enough; children need to be taught "digital literacy" so they have the "emotional maturity" to deal with social media when they use it.

Young people themselves have different views. Fin, a 17-year-old student, told The Guardian Technology that the government's ideas to restrict social media for under-16s are "incredibly harsh." He noted that many young people use these platforms to follow news and stay in touch with friends. He suggested there could be different levels of restrictions instead of a complete ban, even if that might be more complicated.

As the government prepares its response to the consultation, the debate continues on how best to protect children in an increasingly digital world. The aim is to ensure that legislation and protection keep up with changing technology to safeguard future generations. The current minimum age for most major social media platforms in the UK is 13, set by data protection rules, but there is no formal legal limit for social media use itself.