A clear majority of the British public now supports following Australia's lead and introducing a blanket ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, according to exclusive new polling. The findings come as politicians and campaigners intensify calls for action to protect young people from online harms.
Strong Public Backing for Protective Measures
A Mirror-commissioned poll, conducted by Deltapoll between 16th and 18th December 2025, found that 64% of voters support an Australia-style ban. In contrast, only 19% of those surveyed oppose the idea. This significant public sentiment emerges just weeks after Australia itself blocked millions of young people from accessing major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming sites Twitch and Kick.
Scottish Labour MP and Chair of the Children’s Online Safety All-Party Parliamentary Group, Joani Reid, stated that the polling shows the public is ahead of the political debate. "Parents can see the harm unregulated social media is doing to children and they want action," she told The Sunday Mirror. Reid argued that such a ban "would not be about punishment or control but about basic safeguarding, setting boundaries and giving children space to grow up without constant online pressure."
Mounting Pressure from Campaigners and Experts
The call for stricter controls is backed by poignant testimonies from families affected by tragedy. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has previously advocated for smartphone bans in schools and restrictions for under-16s. Similarly, Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly died after encountering harmful material online, has campaigned for better protections.
Labour MP Jess Asato, who backed a previous Private Member’s Bill from then-backbencher and now Children's Minister Josh MacAlister, highlighted the extensive evidence of harm presented to Parliament. "We heard from a huge range of child experts... what was very clear was that there's a huge host of areas of harm that social media is connected to for children," Asato said. She listed impacts including increased anxiety, depression, self-harm, exposure to violent content, and even physical effects like myopia and sleep disruption.
Government Stance and International Context
Despite the growing momentum, the government's current position remains cautious. A government spokesperson confirmed "there are no current plans for a blanket ban" but stated they will "closely monitor" the policy's rollout in Australia. The spokesperson pointed to the Online Safety Act as evidence of the UK's bold steps, mandating that social media firms shield under-18s from content related to self-harm and suicide.
However, campaigners warn the UK risks falling behind. Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, said: "Australia has shown leadership – now the UK needs to decide whether it stands with families and children, or continues to protect the profits of the world’s most powerful tech companies." Jess Asato MP noted that Malaysia and several European nations, including Denmark, are also considering similar bans.
Opposition to a blanket ban exists, notably from children's charity the NSPCC. Its Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood, warned that bans are a "blunt approach" that could drive teenagers to riskier, unregulated spaces online. "We must not punish young people for the failure of tech companies to create safe experiences online," he stated.
With the public demand clear and international moves accelerating, the debate over how best to safeguard children in the digital age is set to dominate the political agenda in the new year.
