The UK government is exploring a ban on social media for children under 16 as part of a plan to protect young people’s mental health and overall wellbeing. This comes alongside proposals to tighten rules on phone use in schools. Ofsted, the education watchdog, could be given the power to review how schools handle phones, with the goal of making schools “phone-free by default.”
The idea isn’t entirely new. Australia introduced the world’s first social media ban for under-16s in December 2025, sparking conversations in other countries, including the UK, about whether similar measures could help children.
Who Supports the Ban
The proposed ban has backing from politicians and public figures alike. Over 60 Labour MPs sent a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer supporting the idea. Esther Ghey, the mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, also urged the government to act. She said social media limited her daughter’s time with real-life friends, even though she had a supportive circle offline.
Former school standards minister Catherine McKinnell highlighted how quickly social media is changing and how many parents feel unprepared. She stressed that children don’t need to be “bombarded with information designed by algorithms to make money” to stay connected online.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that the government will run a three-month consultation, asking parents, young people, and civil society for their views. The consultation will also explore stricter age verification and limiting features that encourage compulsive social media use.
Concerns and Criticism
Not everyone agrees with a blanket ban. Experts and children’s charities warn that vulnerable kids may rely on social media to find support and connect with communities. Some school leaders feel giving Ofsted power to “police” phones in schools could be heavy-handed and unhelpful.
Still, unions and educational organizations mostly welcome the consultation. The National Education Union pointed out how social media can affect children’s attention and development, while the Association of School and College Leaders said the government has been slow to address online risks.
