Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has announced a major policy pledge, stating her party would introduce a statutory ban on social media access for children under the age of 16 if it were in power.
Protection for Children, Freedom for Adults
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, the Tory leader argued that social media platforms profit from children's "anxiety" and "distraction" and are "designed to be addictive." She framed the proposal as a matter of common sense, aiming for "protection for children and freedom for adults."
"The internet is a wild west, social media in particular," Mrs Badenoch said. "We don't think children should be on there, and we want the industry to see the direction of travel so that we can start working with them now."
Cross-Party and Union Backing for Bold Action
The proposal follows intense pressure from teaching unions. The NASUWT has called for legislation to force big tech firms to prevent child access. Their 2025 survey of 5,800 teachers found alarming trends:
- 81% reported an increase in pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviour.
- 59% believed social media was a key driver behind deteriorating behaviour in schools.
- In a separate poll, 89% of members supported a statutory ban for under-16s.
This call has found unexpected allies. Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, wrote on X that he agreed with "a lot" of Badenoch's comments, suggesting parents would welcome a cross-party consensus. Former education minister Lord Nash also welcomed the "bold move to put children first," noting support from across political lines.
The Challenges of a Blanket Ban
While acknowledging the risks, child protection charities warn a blanket ban may be problematic. Anna Edmundson of the NSPCC stated such a move "would be a blunt approach to a complex problem," potentially undermining young people's rights and driving them to less regulated online spaces.
The current Government, via a spokesperson, highlighted existing measures under the Online Safety Act, which mandates age-appropriate protections, and stressed most schools already restrict phone use. They claimed to be striking a balance between safety and allowing children to benefit from the digital world.
Mrs Badenoch, a mother-of-three, conceded age limits wouldn't be a total solution but would remove a "critical mass" of children from platforms. She linked the policy to a wider Conservative strategy, including banning phones in schools and getting people into work, describing them as "bricks that are going to build up our policy wall."
The proposal mirrors action taken in Australia, where a social media ban for under-16s came into force in December. As the debate intensifies, the focus turns to whether the UK will follow suit with what would be one of the world's strictest digital age limits.
