UK Government To Consult On Possible Social Media Ban For Under-16s

The UK government has announced plans to consult on whether social media access should be restricted for children under the age of 16.

The move follows growing concern from parents, lawmakers and education groups about the impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing. As part of the announcement, ministers said they would take immediate steps to strengthen rules around phone use in schools. Ofsted will now be empowered to check schools’ mobile phone policies during inspections, with the expectation that schools become “phone-free by default”.

The proposal mirrors a landmark policy introduced in Australia in December 2025, which became the first country to enforce a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. Other nations are reportedly considering similar measures.

Pressure has mounted on the government after more than 60 Labour MPs wrote to the prime minister urging action. Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has also publicly backed the call for restrictions.

In a letter seen by the BBC, Ghey challenged the idea that vulnerable children benefit from online communities.

“As the parent of an extremely vulnerable and trans child, I strongly disagree,” she wrote.
“In Brianna’s case, social media limited her ability to engage in real-world social interactions. She had real friends, but she chose to live online instead.”

According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the consultation will gather views from parents, young people and civil society groups to assess the potential impact of a ban. It will also explore stronger age-verification systems and whether platforms should be forced to remove features that encourage compulsive usage.

The government said it would publish its response to the consultation in the summer.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the Online Safety Act was never meant to be the final step in protecting children online.

“We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them,” she said. “Parents still have serious concerns, and we are listening.”

Opposition parties have weighed in on the debate. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the consultation, describing it as “delay tactics” and claiming her party had already committed to introducing a ban if elected.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said urgent action was needed and warned the consultation could slow progress.

Unions welcomed parts of the proposal. National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede called it a “welcome shift,” highlighting the growing influence of social media on children’s attention and identity. However, school leaders raised concerns about Ofsted’s expanded role.

Paul Whiteman, head of the National Association of Head Teachers, said using inspections to “police” phone use was misguided.

“School leaders need support from government, not the threat of heavy-handed inspection,” he said.

The announcement comes ahead of a House of Lords vote on a proposed ban this week. The amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has backing from high-profile figures, including Baroness Floella Benjamin and former education minister Lord Nash. Another amendment proposes age ratings for social media apps, similar to film classifications.

Experts remain divided. Professor Amy Orben of Cambridge University said more must be done to protect children online but warned there was limited evidence that age-based bans are effective. Oxford University researcher Dr Holly Bear echoed the caution, suggesting a more balanced approach.

“Reducing harmful algorithm-driven content and improving digital literacy may be more effective than blanket bans,” she said.

Several child protection organisations, including NSPCC and Childnet, have also warned against a total ban, arguing it could push young people into less regulated online spaces.

“A ban could create a false sense of safety,” they said in a joint statement. “Threats would simply migrate elsewhere online.”

As the debate continues, the government faces mounting pressure to balance child protection with digital access, ahead of its final decision later this year.