Ban social media for under-16s to protect children

Ban social media access for under-16s. We think this could protect their mental health and childhood. Evidence shows it can cause harm, exposing children to bullying, addiction and inappropriate content. Follow Australia’s lead to prioritise their well-being. Social media can wait—childhood cannot.

We think the government could introduce strict age verification, legislation holding platforms accountable, and promote real-world activities and digital literacy in schools. We believe social media can harm children's development. By acting now, we think the government can protect childhood, encourage healthier habits, and ensure children are ready to navigate social media as adults.

I would like to thank all those who signed the petition on this important issue. This government is determined to seize the opportunities of technology and AI, so that we can shape a future that works for us all. Especially our children. But to do so, people must feel that their children are safe online. The Online Safety Act is one of the toughest regimes globally - it requires in-scope services to tackle illegal content and activity, and to protect children from harmful and age-appropriate content.

We have always said that the Act is the foundation of our approach to protecting children’s online wellbeing and safety. We know there are further concerns, and that up and down the country, parents are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they’re seeing online and the impact this can have. We know that many parents are worried about a whole range of other impacts on their children - consequences for their mental health, their concentration and sleep, their sense of self-esteem, ability to learn, and to explore the online world.

We are determined to help parents, children and young people deal with these issues with a lasting solution that gives children the childhood they deserve, enhances their wellbeing, and prepares them for the future.

That is why on the 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation.

This will include the option of banning social media for children under 16 and raising the digital age of consent – to stop companies using children’s data without their or their parents' consent.

The consultation will include a range of other options, such as whether there should be curfews overnight, breaks to stop excessive use or doom scrolling, how we ensure more rigorous enforcement of existing laws around age verification, and action to address concerns about the use of VPNs to get around important protections.

We will consult with parents, the organisations representing children and bereaved families, technology companies, and – crucially – with children and young people themselves, as well as those with lived experience with these issues. This will be an evidence-based consultation, with input from independent experts.

We will also look closely at the experience in Australia and their ban on social media for under 16s.

In addition, we are also bringing forward work on broader screen time. We are developing screen time guidance for children under five, which will be available from April of this year, and developing evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16.

There is a clear consensus that there are issues to tackle in regard to children’s use of social media, however there is a difference of opinion in how children’s relationship with social media and screentime should be further tackled. This is shown by some of the most prominent voices in this field believing that a social media ban is not the right answer. This is exactly why we are consulting. The government’s position is clear: we are acting swiftly to address the concerns that have been raised via this petition.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology