Teachers have called on Andy Burnham, the likely next prime minister, to implement strict social media age limits for under-16s and expand youth activities to reduce screen time. The National Education Union (NEU) urged Burnham to adopt plans announced by Sir Keir Starmer to ban children under 16 from platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
NEU: Ban Must Be 'Only the Start'
General secretary Daniel Kebede said the proposed ban should be just the beginning. “We cannot create a cliff edge where children move overnight from restriction to full exposure without the confidence to navigate online spaces safely,” he stated. He stressed that online safety education must become part of the school curriculum.
Kebede also called for increased investment in clubs, libraries, sports facilities, and arts programmes to give teenagers alternatives to scrolling social media feeds on their phones.
Classroom Harms Spill Over from Social Media
Writing for the Express, Kebede highlighted the daily impact on teachers: “Teachers see the impact of social media every day. Its harms do not stay on screens. They spill into classrooms as harassment, misogyny, racism, body anxiety, and pupils too distressed and distracted to learn.” He added that parents are exhausted, often struggling to keep up with emerging threats their children face.
Details of the Proposed Ban
Sir Keir Starmer announced the age limit last month in a bid to define his legacy before leaving office. The ban will be enforced under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, which came into force in April, requiring no new legislation. However, it is not expected to take effect until April 2027.
Burnham, who is set to become prime minister on July 20, has previously expressed support for parents calling for age limits. The NEU warned that technology bosses hope “political turmoil” will cause the policy to be forgotten or postponed.
Social Media Firms Oppose Restrictions
Social media companies have already criticised the plan. Meta, parent of Facebook and Instagram, said: “As we’ve seen in Australia, bans risk isolating teens from online communities and information, and driving them to unregulated alternatives that lack built-in protections and parental controls.” YouTube also claimed the ban could push children toward “less safe services”.
Other platforms affected include Snapchat, TikTok, and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are exempt. The UK will go further than Australia by blocking live-streaming and communication with strangers on gaming sites.
Future Restrictions for 16-18 Year Olds
Sir Keir also proposed restrictions for those aged 16-18, including overnight curfews, but it remains unclear if this will proceed after his resignation. Burnham’s new cabinet is under no obligation to adopt the plan, though he has previously backed parental calls for age limits.
