The Government has not conducted any internal modelling on the potential impacts of banning social media for under-16s, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has confirmed. In response to a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association, DSIT said it had “not done any modelling or analysis” on how such a ban would affect mental health, access to news, or how young people might circumvent restrictions. The department stated that internal modelling had not been carried out because “clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist”.
Pressure has been mounting on the Government to consider a ban on social media for under-16s amid concerns over its impact on children’s health and safety. However, campaigners have urged lawmakers not to rush into such a decision. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: “Parents are rightly demanding action from Government to protect children online but they want solutions to be effective and safe. It is crucial the Government follows all the available evidence about an under-16 social media ban before rushing into it.”
The Government is currently piloting a range of measures aimed at limiting young people’s social media use, including app bans, time limits, and overnight curfews. Around 300 teenagers are taking part in a six-week trial testing different restrictions, with ministers also considering options including an Australia-style ban on under-16s. The trials are intended to help build the evidence base for potential policy changes.
DSIT pointed to existing research led by University of Cambridge psychologist Professor Amy Orben, but her report, published in January, highlights a “lack of high-quality causal evidence linking children’s mental health and wellbeing and their use of digital technologies”. The report states: “High quality experimental studies that test whether reducing adolescent social media use improves mental health would improve our understanding of whether there is a negative causal relationship.”
Mr Burrows said “stronger regulation” was needed to tackle “addictive and harmful” parts of the online world, adding: “There is limited evidence that bans work and of the balance between the benefits and unintended consequences that may result. Our polling of Australian teens shows it offers a false sense of safety that will leave parents with new challenges.” A DSIT spokesperson said the Government is running a national consultation and pilots to build the strongest possible evidence base before any decisions are taken.
