Potential Social Media Ban for UK Teens Under 16 Gains Momentum

Discussions have intensified within Downing Street regarding a potential ban on social media access for children under 16, following Australia’s introduction of a world-first law restricting teenagers from platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has conveyed personal reservations towards a blanket ban but government officials are actively assessing the Australian approach and its results as a possible precursor to similar legislation in the UK.

Downing Street sources confirm that Sir Keir Starmer, along with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, is engaged in ongoing dialogue on this issue, although any final decision remains distant. The Government’s official position stresses the need to protect children online while ensuring they are not deprived of essential digital services or isolated from support networks. Ministers reiterate that future policy will depend on robust, evidence-based findings.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pressed for more radical action to safeguard young people online, alluding to the proliferation of bullying, intimidation, misogyny, and radicalisation on social media. Streeting highlighted that teenagers today have far less difficulty accessing extreme content compared to previous generations, characterising social media as increasingly anti-social.

Not all experts and stakeholders agree on the prospect of a ban. Some children’s charities caution that prohibiting social media for under-16s may drive vulnerable youth towards unregulated sites, potentially increasing their exposure to harm. This perspective is shared by foundations such as the Molly Rose Foundation, established after the death of teenager Molly Russell, whose internet activity included thousands of images endorsing self-harm and suicide.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has previously rejected calls for a ban on under-16s owning mobile phones, advocating instead for a balanced strategy focusing on minimising harmful content while equipping children to manage the online environment responsibly. She has voiced concerns about issues ranging from the influence of chatbots to the impact on young people’s sleep patterns, stressing that abrupt restrictions could create adjustment challenges for teenagers.

Labour MP Fred Thomas, a vocal supporter of an outright social media ban for younger teens, contends that the effects of social media on adolescent development and mental health are already apparent and detrimental. Citing a marked rise in anxiety and related issues among the young, Thomas urges the UK Government to emulate the decisive action taken by Australia and impose similar age restrictions.

Within Government, opinions remain divided, with officials describing Australia as a real-world test case for regulatory action. The debate over adolescent digital engagement and social media safety is set to remain prominent as policymakers weigh child protection against access to digital resources in a rapidly evolving online landscape.