A proposed UK ban on social media for under-16s could have limited impact and may even worsen the situation for young people, according to Rosie Parkyn of the Guardian Foundation. Writing in response to the prime minister's announcement, Parkyn argues that while the desire to protect children is understandable, evidence from Australia—where similar legislation was enacted in December—shows two-thirds of young people retained their accounts, and 51% of those affected now see less news.
Parkyn highlights that young people rely on social media for news, connection, and self-expression, especially as alternative spaces like youth clubs and extracurricular activities have closed. Removing access without creating alternative routes to information risks disconnection, which she describes as dangerous. She notes that 73% of UK adults distrust social media as a news source, but young people still need help navigating these ecosystems.
The Guardian Foundation delivers media literacy programmes in UK schools, teaching children to verify information, understand algorithms, and recognise how outrage and dopamine are incentivised. Parkyn emphasises that such skills are critical for a world of eroding trust and contested truth, particularly in communities lacking local journalists.
Media literacy will join the national curriculum in England from September 2028, which Parkyn welcomes as a step towards fostering resilience to misinformation. However, she warns that a ban alone is insufficient and calls for more educational content and funding to truly help young people.
