Key Points
- The UK government has opened a public consultation on children’s social media use, including whether to ban under-16s from major platforms.
- The review will also examine raising the digital age of consent and tightening age verification and phone bans in schools.
- The consultation responds to parental and political pressure and seeks global evidence, with a government response expected in summer 2026.
The British government has launched a nationwide consultation on children’s use of social media and mobile phones, exploring whether to impose a ban on under-16s from using major social platforms as part of efforts to improve online wellbeing and safety. Officials said the review will seek views from parents, young people, civil society and educators before the government responds in the summer.
The consultation comes amid growing concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, learning and social development, and follows international developments such as Australia’s recent ban on under-16s. Ministers plan to examine evidence from around the world, including Australia’s approach, to determine if a similar age limit could work effectively in the UK.
Alongside the social media review, the government is introducing stricter mobile phone policies in schools, with the school inspectorate Ofsted now required to check that phone bans are enforced. Updated guidance expects schools to be “phone-free by default,” blocking student access during lessons, breaks and between classes.
The consultation will explore a range of options, including raising the digital age of consent, improving age-verification systems to ensure accurate enforcement of age limits, and restricting social media features that drive addictive use, such as infinite scrolling and streaks. It also aims to gather input on whether current laws fully protect children online or need strengthening.
Government officials have said this public discussion should help shape evidence-based policy, balancing technological benefits with child safeguarding. Feedback from the consultation will inform final decisions on any legislative or regulatory changes. The consultation forms part of a broader policy push that includes screen-time guidance for parents and support for families to help young people develop healthier relationships with digital technology.
The initiative reflects mounting pressure from lawmakers, parents and advocacy groups calling for tougher measures to protect children online, including an under-16s ban. Some Labour and Conservative MPs have backed proposals to set an age minimum for social media access, though other voices caution that such bans could be difficult to enforce and might push children toward less regulated online spaces.
Critics of the consultation process have framed the government’s move as politically cautious, saying it delays urgent action, while supporters argue it provides necessary evidence and public input before major policy changes. The outcome will likely influence how the UK updates online safety frameworks under existing laws such as the Online Safety Act and shapes future digital regulation.
