UK consulting on bringing in social media ban for under 16s
19 days ago
- #UK policy
- #child safety
- #social media
- The UK government is consulting on banning social media for under 16s to protect young people's wellbeing.
- Ofsted will gain powers to enforce phone-free policies in schools, with stricter guidance on staff phone use.
- Australia implemented the world's first social media ban for young people in 2025, influencing UK considerations.
- Over 60 Labour MPs and Brianna Ghey's mother support the ban, citing social media's negative impact on real-world interactions.
- Experts caution against the ban, arguing it may not effectively protect children and could push risks to other online areas.
- The consultation will gather views on age checks and limiting compulsive social media features.
- Political parties and unions have mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move and others criticizing delays.
- House of Lords may vote on a proposed ban, with amendments suggesting film-style age ratings for social media apps.
- Researchers highlight insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of age-based bans, advocating for balanced approaches like digital literacy.
- Charities argue blanket bans create a false sense of safety and fail to address underlying online risks.