LONDON — The British government has announced plans to consult on whether social media should be banned for children under the age of 16 in the UK.
The consultation aims to gather views from parents, young people and civil society to assess the effectiveness of a ban and whether stronger age verification systems should be implemented by social media companies.
As part of the government’s “immediate action,” Ofsted will be given powers to review school policies on mobile phone use during inspections. The government has said it expects schools to be “phone-free by default.”
International Context
Australia introduced a similar ban in December 2025, becoming the first country to do so. Several other nations are reportedly considering similar measures.
Calls for Action
The announcement follows pressure from more than 60 Labour MPs, who wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging action. The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, Esther Ghey, also called for a ban, saying social media limited her daughter’s ability to form real-world relationships.
What the Consultation Will Cover
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said the consultation will explore:
- Whether a ban would be effective
- Whether social media companies can implement more robust age checks
- Whether features that encourage compulsive use should be limited or removed
School Phone Use
Ofsted will also issue tougher guidance to schools, including advising staff not to use mobile phones for personal reasons in front of students.
Political Reactions
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government was determined to ensure technology benefits children rather than harming them.
However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the move as “dither and delay,” saying her party would introduce a ban if elected.
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson said the consultation risked delaying urgent action.
Mixed Views from Experts
While some educators and unions welcomed the consultation, others warned that evidence on the effectiveness of age-based bans remains limited.
Experts including Professor Amy Orben from Cambridge and Dr Holly Bear from Oxford said more research is needed and suggested a balanced approach focusing on reducing harmful content, improving safeguards, and promoting digital literacy.
Opposition from Child Safety Groups
Several child safety organisations, including NSPCC and Childnet, have argued that a blanket ban may push children to other online spaces and would not necessarily improve safety.
The government has said it will respond to the consultation in the summer.
Source: BBC
