UK to consult on social media ban for under-16s, what it could mean for families
Government plans consultation on banning under-16s from social media, as parents and schools raise concerns
The government has announced plans to consult on whether social media should be banned for under-16s in the UK, reopening a debate many parents already feel strongly about.
The move comes alongside new measures aimed at reducing phone use in schools, and follows growing pressure from MPs, education leaders and families concerned about children’s wellbeing online.
What has the government announced?
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed it will launch a consultation to explore whether banning under-16s from social media would be effective.
The consultation will seek views from parents, young people and civil society, and will also look at whether stricter age verification checks could be introduced by social media companies.
Platforms could be required to remove or limit features that drive compulsive use, such as infinite scrolling and algorithm-led content.
The government said it would respond to the consultation in the summer.
Phone-free schools by default
Alongside the consultation, ministers said they expect schools in England to be “phone-free by default”.
Ofsted will be given immediate powers to check schools’ policies on mobile phone use during inspections. New guidance is also expected to discourage staff from using personal phones in front of pupils.
The aim, according to the government, is to reduce distraction in classrooms and tackle the wider impact of excessive screen time on learning and behaviour.
Parents’ voices and Brianna Ghey’s mother
More than 60 Labour MPs have written to the prime minister urging action on social media and children’s safety. The issue has also been highlighted by Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.
In a letter seen by the BBC, she wrote: “Some argue that vulnerable children need access to social media to find their community. As the parent of an extremely vulnerable and trans child, I strongly disagree.”
She added: “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.”
Her comments reflect concerns shared by many parents about how online spaces can shape children’s social lives and mental health.
What ministers are saying
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the Online Safety Act was “never meant to be the end point” when it comes to protecting children online.
“We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them, and to give every child the childhood they deserve,” she said.
The government stressed that the consultation does not mean a ban is guaranteed, but that it wants to explore all options.
Political reactions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would introduce a social media ban for under-16s if in power, criticising the consultation as “more dither and delay”.
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson said there was “no time to waste in protecting our children from social media giants” and warned the consultation risked delaying action.
What schools and unions think
Education unions broadly welcomed the consultation, while raising concerns about how changes might be enforced.
National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede described the move as a “welcome shift”, saying: “Every day, parents and teachers see how social media shapes children's identities and attention long before they sit their GCSEs, pulling them into isolating, endless loops of content.”
The Association of School and College Leaders said the government had been sluggish in responding to online risks, while agreeing that screen time had become a wider issue for children and young people.
However, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, warned that asking Ofsted to “police” phones in schools was “deeply unhelpful and misguided”, adding that school leaders needed support rather than the threat of heavy-handed inspection.
Is there evidence that bans work?
A similar ban came into force in Australia in December 2025, the first of its kind worldwide, and other countries are reportedly watching closely.
But experts say the evidence around age-based bans is still limited. Professor Amy Orben from the University of Cambridge told the BBC there was “not strong evidence” that such bans are effective, despite broad agreement that more needs to be done to keep children safe online.
Dr Holly Bear from Oxford University said a balanced approach may be more effective, including reducing exposure to harmful content, improving safeguards and supporting digital literacy.
Concerns from charities
Several charities, including the NSPCC, Childnet and the Molly Rose Foundation, have argued that a blanket ban could be the wrong solution.
In a joint statement, they warned it could create a “false sense of safety” and push risks into other online spaces, rather than addressing the root causes of harm.
As the consultation approaches, many parents will be watching closely, weighing up the promise of stronger protections against concerns about enforcement, evidence and how children actually use the internet in real life.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.