The UK government has launched a major consultation on implementing an Australian-style ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. The move follows mounting pressure from campaigners, parents, and parliamentarians to protect young people from online harms.
What the Consultation Will Examine
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) confirmed the consultation will explore several key options. These include raising the digital age of consent and imposing restrictions on potentially addictive design features commonly used by social media platforms. Features under scrutiny include "streaks" that encourage daily use and "infinite scrolling" mechanisms designed to keep users engaged for extended periods.
As part of this fact-finding mission, ministers will visit Australia, where a ban on social media for under-16s was enforced in December 2025. The government has stated it will actively seek views from parents and young people, with a formal response expected in the summer of 2026.
Immediate Actions and Political Pressure
Alongside the consultation, the government announced several immediate steps. Ofsted will be directed to examine schools' mobile phone policies and their implementation during inspections. Furthermore, the government will produce official screen time guidance for parents of children aged five to 16, with specific advice for under-fives due in April.
However, the announcement has been met with criticism from some quarters for not acting swiftly enough. Conservative peer Lord Nash, a former schools minister, labelled the consultation as "more delay." He has tabled an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, due for a Lords vote this week, which would force social media platforms to bar under-16s within a year of the bill passing.
Lord Nash's amendment has garnered significant cross-party support, including from the National Education Union and 61 Labour MPs, who have written to the Prime Minister demanding "urgent action."
Voices from the Frontline
The debate is powerfully informed by personal tragedy. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, stated on Monday that a ban would be "a vital step in protecting children online." In a letter to party leaders, she revealed her daughter had a "social media addiction" and was "in constant fear about who Brianna might be speaking to online."
Similarly, Ian Russell of the Molly Rose Foundation, established after his 14-year-old daughter took her own life following exposure to harmful content, warned against a "false choice" between the status quo and a simple ban. He urged the Prime Minister to strengthen the Online Safety Act to tackle addictive design directly.
Political Reactions and Sector Response
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised the government's determination to ensure technology enriches rather than harms children's lives. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was unequivocal, stating: "Mobile phones have no place in our schools. No ifs, no buts."
In contrast, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of "more dither and delay," noting the Conservatives had previously pledged to introduce such a ban. Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson also expressed concern the consultation could "kick the can down the road," advocating instead for film-style age ratings for online platforms.
School leaders welcomed the considered approach but pushed back on the role of Ofsted. Paul Whiteman of the NAHT said the suggestion of Ofsted "policing" policies was "deeply unhelpful," while Pepe Di'Iasio of the ASCL called for government resources to help schools securely store phones.
The consultation represents a pivotal moment in the UK's approach to online safety and child protection, balancing calls for immediate action with the complexities of implementation in the digital age.
