The UK government is actively considering a sweeping ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, as part of a concerted effort to tackle a deepening online safety crisis. This potential policy shift comes in the wake of similar legislative measures recently enacted in Australia, where under-16s have now completed their third month without social media, and amid mounting political pressure within the UK to safeguard young people from digital harms.
Government Launches Major Consultation on Online Protection
Ministers have initiated a comprehensive consultation process to gather expert evidence on the most effective strategies for protecting young people online. This wide-ranging review will explore a variety of potential solutions, including age-based bans, the implementation of phone curfews, and the removal of addictive app features that are believed to contribute to compulsive usage patterns.
Targeting Addictive App Features and Raising the Digital Age of Consent
Officials are specifically scrutinising design elements such as infinite scrolling and streaks, which are blamed for encouraging prolonged and unhealthy device engagement among children. In a parallel move, the government is considering raising the digital age of consent from 13 to a higher threshold, which would impose stricter limits on how technology companies can process the personal data of younger teenagers.
Ofsted to Enforce School Phone Policies and New Parental Guidance
Ofsted has been directed to commence immediate inspections of how schools manage mobile phone usage throughout the school day. Inspectors will ensure that pupils do not have access to devices during lessons, lunch, or break times. Additionally, new screen time guidance is being developed for parents of children aged five to 16, alongside plans to simplify and enhance the effectiveness of parental controls for family use.
Divergent Views on the Proposed Ban
Many parents who have tragically lost children to online-related harms are campaigning vigorously for an immediate and total ban for under-16s. They argue that social media addiction significantly exacerbates mental health issues and exposes young people to toxic and harmful content.
Conversely, some experts and other bereaved families caution that a total ban might inadvertently push children towards unregulated and darker corners of the internet. They suggest that such a blunt approach fails to address the core responsibility of tech companies to make their platforms inherently safer through better design and regulation.
The outcome of the government's consultation will be crucial in shaping the future of online safety for young Britons, balancing protection with practical implementation.
