UK considers introducing social media ban for children under 16

January 20, 2026

New Delhi: The UK government has launched a public consultation on introducing a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, as part of a broader strategy aimed at protecting young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Ministers say the move is intended to address growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on children.

The proposal follows Australia’s landmark decision to introduce the world’s first social media ban for under-16s in December 2025, prompting several countries, including the UK, to explore similar measures. The consultation will gather feedback from parents, young people, educators, and civil society organisations to assess whether such a ban would be effective.

In addition, the government will examine whether stronger age-verification systems should be enforced and whether platforms should be required to remove or restrict features that encourage excessive or addictive use.

Phone-Free Schools and Ofsted’s Expanded Role

As part of the wider package, England’s education watchdog Ofsted will be given new powers to assess schools’ mobile phone policies. Ministers have said they expect schools to become “phone-free by default,” with tougher guidance also advising staff not to use personal devices in front of pupils.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the Online Safety Act was “never intended to be the final step” in regulating online harms, adding that parents continue to express serious concerns about the pace of change in digital platforms. The government is expected to respond to the consultation by the summer.

However, some school leaders have raised concerns. While teaching unions broadly welcomed the consultation, the National Association of Head Teachers warned that asking Ofsted to “police” phone use could be counterproductive, calling instead for greater government support rather than stricter inspections.

Political Backing, Expert Caution and Mixed Reactions

The proposal has strong political backing, with more than 60 Labour MPs urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to support a ban. Brianna Ghey’s mother, Esther Ghey, has also called for action, arguing that social media can isolate vulnerable children rather than support them.

Opposition parties have responded sharply. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of delaying action, while Liberal Democrats warned that the consultation risks slowing down urgent protections for children.

Experts, however, remain divided. Researchers from Cambridge and Oxford universities noted that while there is consensus on the need to improve online safety, evidence supporting age-based social media bans remains limited. Several children’s charities, including the NSPCC and Childnet, have warned that a blanket ban could push risks to other parts of the internet and create a false sense of security.

The debate is set to intensify further, with the House of Lords expected to vote this week on proposed amendments that could introduce age limits and film-style ratings for social media platforms.