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Sun, 01 Mar 2026

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 Consultation on social media ban for under-16s to begin

Discussions over what measures to implement to protect children's wellbeing will last for three months.
Key Points:
* A public consultation on banning social media for under-16s has been launched by the government.
* The consultation aims to gather opinions from young people, parents and guardians on whether an outright ban is necessary or if less dramatic interventions should be considered.
* Possible interventions include: + An outright ban + Limiting screen time for children + Introducing age verification measures + Encouraging social media platforms to implement stricter safety measures
* The government will conduct pilots testing the proposed interventions to gather "real-world evidence" of their effectiveness.
* The consultation is open until May 26, and the government plans to respond in the summer. Support for a Ban:
* The House of Lords has voted in favour of a full ban for under-16s.
* Over 60 Labour MPs have backed the policy.
* Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson have also expressed support for an under-16s social media ban. Opposition to a Ban:
* Several charities, including the NSPCC, have warned that a full ban could have "unintended consequences".
* The Molly Rose Foundation has welcomed the consultation but emphasized the need for stronger online safety laws.
* Professor Sonia Livingstone, a leading expert on social media and children's wellbeing, believes that better safety measures from Big Tech companies are needed rather than an outright ban. Government Response:
* Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the consultation will help establish how young people can "thrive in an age of rapid technological change".
* The government aims to prompt a wider public debate on the issue through community events and social media platforms.