13-year-old Vivienne from the Armenian Newsroom reports on the UK government’s moves to protect young people online
The UK government has launched a national consultation asking the public, including parents, young people and experts, whether social media should be banned for children under the age of 16.
The consultation, announced in early March 2026, will gather public opinion before the government decides whether to introduce stricter rules on social media use by minors.
The proposal comes as policymakers grow increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, sleep and online safety.
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“This is a hugely complex issue – so it’s important it’s properly considered,” said UK prime minister Keir Starmer. He added that “childhood should not mean judgement from strangers” and warned that for too many young people it means being pulled into a world of “endless scrolling, anxiety and comparison”.
The consultation asks whether platforms should be banned for under-16s entirely or whether other measures should be introduced. These include setting a minimum age for social media accounts; limiting addictive features such as infinite scrolling; strengthening age-verification systems; and introducing overnight digital curfews for younger users.
The government is also examining whether there should be limits on children’s interactions with tools such as AI chatbots.
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The debate has prompted strong reactions from parents and policymakers across the country. Some parents support stricter rules, saying social media exposes children to harmful content and encourages excessive screen time.
Parentkind, an organisation that represents parent teacher associations (PTAs) in the UK, saidthat parents are overwhelmingly concerned about social media, with around 93% believing it is harmful.
Meanwhile, to date more than 63,000 people have signeda petition against a ban on social media for under-16s.
Liz Kendall, the UK’s technology minister, said that parents are grappling with questions around screen time, smartphone use and what their children are seeing online. She acknowledged that while some parents and safety advocates support a ban, others worry it could push children to less regulated spaces.
Experts saythe UK’s debate reflects a broader global trend as governments try to regulate social media and protect young users.
Australia has already introduced a ban on social media for under-16s, and Greece has just announceda ban for under-15s.
Several other countries, including Denmark, France and Spain are considering similar policies.
Critics, however, argue that social media can provide benefits for teenagers, such as helping them communicate with friends, express themselves and access information. They say stronger safety features and better education about digital use may be more effective than a complete ban.
Early trials in the UK involving around 300 teenagers are already underway to test restrictions on social media use for under-16s, as governments explore how such bans could be implemented in practice.
The consultation will remain open until late May 2026. The UK government will review the responses before deciding on its next steps.
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