UK Government Launches Consultation on Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The UK government has initiated a consultation to assess the feasibility of banning social media access for individuals under 16. This move aims to address growing concerns about online safety and the mental health of young people. The consultation will explore various measures, including raising the digital age of consent and implementing restrictions on addictive app features such as 'streaks' and 'infinite scrolling'.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the government's commitment to child safety, stating, "We are determined to ensure technology enriches children's lives, not harms them." The consultation will seek input from parents, young people, and civil society to determine the effectiveness of a potential ban.

The initiative follows Australia's implementation of a similar ban in December 2025, making it the first country to enforce such a measure. The UK government is closely monitoring Australia's approach to inform its own policies.

In addition to the consultation, the government has directed Ofsted to examine schools' mobile phone policies during inspections, with an expectation that schools will become "phone-free by default." This directive aims to reduce distractions and promote a more focused learning environment.

The consultation will also consider enforcing more robust age verification measures by social media companies and potentially limiting features that encourage compulsive use. The government plans to respond to the consultation findings in the summer.

Opposition parties have expressed varying views on the proposal. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the consultation as "more dither and delay" from Labour, while Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson emphasized the urgency of protecting children from social media harms, cautioning against further delays.

The National Education Union (NEU) welcomed the consultation, highlighting the impact of social media on children's attention spans and behavior. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede noted, "Every day, parents and teachers see how social media shapes children's identities and attention long before they sit their GCSEs, pulling them into isolating, endless loops of content."

The government will consider the consultation's findings and announce its response in the summer.