UK Government Reviews Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The UK government has started a consultation to consider restricting social media access for individuals under the age of 16. This review forms part of a wider set of measures aimed at addressing online safety and digital wellbeing for young people.

The consultation will gather input from parents, young people, and civil society, with a government response anticipated by summer. It is linked to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes an amendment proposing a full ban on social media for under-16s within a year of the bill’s passage.

Officials are examining various strategies, such as enforcing age restrictions on platforms, limiting the collection of data from minors, and reducing the use of features designed to keep users engaged, like infinite scrolling. The consultation also aligns with existing requirements under the Online Safety Act and is part of broader efforts to reduce mobile phone use among youth.

Proposed complementary measures include raising the digital consent age from 13 to 16, implementing restrictions on addictive platform features, and requiring schools to enforce phone-free policies during the school day. Ofsted inspectors would be responsible for ensuring compliance with these school-based rules.

What the numbers show

• Australia’s under-16 social media ban took effect on 10 December 2025
• Approximately 4.7 million accounts believed to belong to under-16s have been deactivated or restricted in Australia
• Meta reported removing about 550,000 under-16 accounts from its platforms after the Australian ban
• Platforms in Australia face fines up to A$50 million for non-compliance

The UK’s consultation is explicitly influenced by Australia’s recent introduction of a similar policy. Australia’s law prohibits individuals under 16 from holding accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, is responsible for overseeing compliance with the law. Since the ban was enacted, platforms have removed or restricted millions of accounts believed to belong to under-16s, and companies face substantial fines if they do not take reasonable steps to enforce the rule.

Bereaved parents, including Esther Ghey, have supported the amendment to the UK’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would introduce a complete ban on social media for under-16s. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated openness to the idea but is awaiting evidence from Australia’s experience before taking further steps.

The UK government plans to send ministers to Australia to assess the effectiveness of its legislation. In addition, new guidance on screen time for children aged 5 to 16 will be introduced in the UK, alongside stricter enforcement of mobile phone bans in schools.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.