Social media for under-16s to be banned — good news for parents?
The Government has finally announced its plans to introduce a ban on social media platforms for children under the age of 16, with some restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds so that there is not a ‘cliff edge’ when a child turns 16. The Government plans to ban children from social media sites including, Facebook, Instagram, X, Youtube TikTok and SnapChat, while allowing continued use of messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Signal. Livestreaming on gaming sites and contact with strangers will be banned for all children including 16- and 17-year-olds. The changes will come into effect from Spring 2027.
We previously reported on proposals to ban social media via an amendment from Lord Nash to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. This amendment was rejected by the Government but they did open a consultation on social media use with a view to introducing restrictions of some kind in the future. 90% of parents who responded in that consultation were reportedly in favour of the social media ban. In his speech the Prime Minister said that the Government has already passed the relevant legislation:
And because of powers we took in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act…
We can now move at pace…
And crucially – we can adapt as technology changes…
We have those powers.
His speech referred to Sections 71–75 of Part 4 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, which give ministers:
- the power to restrict children’s access to online services;
- the power to mandate age–verification;
- the power to update rules quickly as technology changes and the power to enforce compliance.
This effectively allows the Government to impose new restrictions on how we use the internet without needing to pass fresh primary legislation. If these powers are used solely to ensure that vulnerable people can navigate the online world safely, that is undoubtedly positive. Even so, we should remain cautious about granting such broad authority without careful scrutiny. Measures of this kind could have unintended consequences for parental autonomy and family life.
The proposed ban on social media has gained broad support from teachers and parents, largely because the harms associated with unrestricted access are now impossible to ignore. From online bullying and grooming to the endless scrolling that disrupts sleep, the evidence is clear: social media is generally not good for children. These platforms can also expose young users to deeply inappropriate material, including pornography and content that normalises self-harm or suicide.
That said, legislation alone cannot solve the problem. Parents will still need to take active responsibility for managing their children’s online behaviour. Serious questions remain about how workable a ban will be in practice without parental oversight. Children may still find ways around restrictions, whether by using an adult’s account or by accessing social media through a VPN. In reality, the success of any ban will depend as much on parental engagement as on the law itself. Some will also argue that it is, in principle, the parents responsibility and not that of the State to safeguard their children in their technology use. Others may point out that the regulations could go too far in restricting activities which can be enjoyable and beneficial for children if properly managed; for instance, children being able to connect with their friends online and play games together, especially if they might otherwise be socially isolated.
Overall, we believe parents can generally be supportive of this particular Government intervention, given the extensive evidence of the harm social media has caused to children. However, all aspects of the regulations need to be well thought-through and debated, including civil liberties concerns such as the introduction of Digital ID via the back door. With the additional flexibility built into the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, it is likely that restrictions will continue to evolve in the coming years. On a positive note, perhaps with the law now firmly behind them, more parents will feel empowered to set and maintain firm boundaries for their children. The legislation will provide an important marker and leverage for parents who feel they need support in managing their children’s screen use and safeguarding them from online harms and developmental impacts.
ParentPower Team
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