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Could children under 16 be banned from social media? What parents need to know

Could children under 16 be banned from social media? What parents need to know

The government is debating stricter online safety rules for children, including raising the social media age limit to 16.

Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: November 12, 2024 at 4:45 PM

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The government is considering major changes to protect children online, sparking a national debate. With concerns growing over the impact of harmful content and unregulated access to social media, proposals such as raising the minimum age for platforms like TikTok and Instagram to 16 are now on the table.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has indicated he’s “open-minded” about these measures, following the example set by Australia, which recently proposed banning under-16s from social media entirely. The UK’s existing Online Safety Act could also be strengthened to better protect children from harmful content.

Here’s what parents need to know about the potential changes, their implications, and the ongoing debate. Ever heard of gentle parenting? What are the pros and cons, and how do you put it into practice? Discover our Gentle parenting guide and whether it is right for your family?

What changes are being proposed?

The UK government has made online safety a top priority. Discussions have centred around the following measures:

Raising the social media age limit from 13 to 16: This would align the UK with Australia’s proposal and offer a stricter approach to protecting children online.
Introducing more robust age verification systems: Social media platforms may be required to verify user ages through third-party checks to prevent underage access.
Strengthening the Online Safety Act: Social media companies could face hefty fines if they fail to protect young users from harmful content, with penalties of up to 10% of global revenue.
Banning mobile phones in schools: Some MPs are calling for a statutory ban on phones in classrooms, although headteachers already have the power to enforce this independently.

What are the current rules?

Currently, most social media platforms set a minimum age of 13, but research by Ofcom shows these rules are rarely enforced.

Over 50% of children under 13 use social media, according to Ofcom.
34% of children aged 3-7 are already active on social media, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram proving particularly popular among younger users.
Many children bypass restrictions by creating accounts with fake ages, highlighting what campaigners call a “systemic failure” in enforcement.

The existing Online Safety Act, which became law in 2023, gives Ofcom the power to regulate social media companies. However, the regulator has been criticised for being slow to act, with new enforcement powers unlikely to take effect before late 2025.

What’s happening in Australia?

Australia has taken swift action, proposing a social media age limit of 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as “world-leading legislation” aimed at addressing parental concerns.

Under the plan, social media companies would need to implement strict age verification systems to block underage users. While the specifics of the technology remain unclear, the measures have reignited the debate over whether companies or app stores should bear responsibility for enforcement.

What do experts and campaigners say?

Opinions on the proposed changes are deeply divided:

Supporters argue stricter rules are necessary to protect children from harmful content, online bullying, and inappropriate material. Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was tragically killed, has called for phones to be tailored for children, with built-in safeguards to block harmful apps and alert parents to dangerous content.
Critics warn of unintended consequences, with some arguing that bans could isolate children and hinder their ability to learn how to navigate the online world safely. Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, who died after being exposed to harmful content on social media, cautioned against blanket bans, saying they could “punish children for the failures of tech companies.”
Andy Burrows, CEO of the young person suicide prevention charity Molly Rose Foundation, raised concerns that focusing on new bans could delay the implementation of the Online Safety Act, potentially leaving children vulnerable in the meantime.

How would a ban affect families?

For parents, the prospect of stricter age limits or social media bans raises questions about practical implementation and potential disruption to family routines.

Enforcement challenges: Age verification systems may require personal data, raising privacy concerns for families.
Social and developmental impact: Critics warn that banning social media altogether could cut children off from important social connections and limit their digital literacy.
Parental involvement: Many campaigners advocate for improved tools to help parents monitor and guide their children’s online activity instead of outright bans.

What happens next?

The government is closely monitoring Australia’s approach while continuing consultations on the implementation of the Online Safety Act. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has assured parents that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to protecting children online.

While there’s no firm timeline for decisions on a social media age ban, parents can expect further debate as the government weighs its options. The Labour government has expressed a clear commitment to tackling online harm, but any legislative changes will need to balance the benefits of stricter rules with their potential drawbacks.

How can parents prepare?

While waiting for new rules to take shape, parents can take steps to protect their children online now:

Use parental controls: Many platforms offer tools to manage screen time, block harmful content, and monitor activity.
Have open conversations: Talk to your children about online risks and encourage them to come to you if they encounter harmful content.
Stay informed: Keep up with developments in online safety legislation and new parental tools as they become available.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.