Public Consultation on Social Media Ban for Under-16s Begins
A public consultation on whether to ban social media use for individuals under 16 years old is being launched on Monday. The government is inviting young people, their parents, and s to submit comments ahead of a decision regarding the proposal.
The discussion about setting a minimum age for social media use has intensified following Australia’s decision last year to prohibit children from accessing platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the consultation aims to understand how young people can "thrive in an age of rapid technological change."
In addition to exploring opinions on a complete ban, the government seeks public views on less stringent measures.
Alongside the consultation, pilot programs will be conducted to test some of the proposed interventions, providing "real-world evidence" of their effectiveness, according to the government.
"The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play. That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one," said Kendall.
"We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having. This is why we're asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation," she said.
The government hopes to encourage a broader public debate throughout the consultation period by organizing community events involving Members of Parliament, influencers, and schools.
"Everyone with a view" is invited to participate, including parents, carers, young people, professionals working with children, civil society organisations, academics, and industry representatives.
Different versions of the consultation are available tailored for young people and for parents and carers to enhance accessibility.
An academic panel has also been tasked with assessing the growing body of evidence, including insights from Australia’s recent experience.
The consultation will close on 26 May, with the government planning to respond "in the summer."
International Context and Political Support
Australia became the first country worldwide to implement a social media ban for under-16s in December. In February, Spain announced its intention to follow a similar path.
Within the UK, some experts and children’s charities have expressed concerns about the idea, although it has significant support elsewhere.
The House of Lords has already voted in favor of a full ban for under-16s. Over 60 Labour MPs have joined members of the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats in backing the policy.
In an open letter to the prime minister, Labour MPs stated that "successive governments" had done "too little to protect young people from... unregulated, addictive social media platforms."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has previously indicated that her party would introduce an under-16s social media ban if in power.
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson emphasized the urgency of protecting children, stating there is "no time to waste in protecting our children from social media giants." She also expressed concern that holding a consultation risks "kicking the can down the road yet again."
Charity Responses and Expert Opinions
The Molly Rose Foundation welcomed the consultation, describing it as a "crucial opportunity to decisively strengthen online safety laws and stand up for children and families." The charity was founded by the family of Molly Russell, who died by suicide in 2017 at age 14 after viewing self-harm and suicide content on platforms including Instagram.
However, several other charities and campaign groups, including the NSPCC, have cautioned that a full social media ban for under-16s could lead to "unintended consequences." They advocate instead for stronger enforcement of existing child safety regulations.
In a joint statement issued in February, these organisations wrote, "It would create a false sense of safety that would see children - but also the threats to them - migrate to other areas online."
Sonia Livingstone, professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics, told the BBC,
"What everyone wants to see is better safety from Big Tech companies, and then children could express themselves and connect online as they want to."
Regulatory Scrutiny of Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms have recently come under increased scrutiny as governments and regulators examine the impact of their content and design on children’s wellbeing.
In February, the European Union instructed TikTok to modify its "addictive design" or face substantial fines. The Chinese-owned platform announced it would challenge this directive.
Meanwhile, a landmark trial is ongoing in California to investigate the mental health effects of Instagram and YouTube.
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