The UK government has launched a public consultation on whether children under 16 should be banned from using social media, as ministers warn that excessive screen time is harming young people’s wellbeing.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced the consultation ahead of a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, 21 January. If approved, the measure would amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, with any ban expected to come into force within a year of the legislation passing.

According to the government, the consultation aims to shape the next phase of its online safety strategy and ensure children develop “a healthy relationship with mobile phones and social media.” Officials say the proposals build on wider efforts to improve children’s wellbeing, including updates to the school curriculum and enhanced digital skills training.

Guidance for Parents and Schools

In response to concerns that children are spending too much time on their devices, the government plans to publish evidence‑based screen‑time guidance for parents of children aged five to 16. Separate guidance for parents of under‑fives is expected in April.

The consultation will examine several key issues, including:

  • How to ensure children have healthier online experiences
  • Whether the age of consent for social media use should be raised
  • How a potential ban could be enforced
  • The impact of addictive design features that encourage endless scrolling

As part of the initiative, Ofsted will review school mobile‑phone policies during inspections, with an expectation that schools operate as phone‑free environments. A series of national events will also gather input from parents, young people and civil‑society groups.

Government Position

Kendall said the Online Safety Act had already delivered “clear, concrete steps” to protect children online, but acknowledged that parents “still have serious concerns.”

“Technology has huge potential to create jobs, transform public services and improve lives,” she said. “But we will only seize that potential if people know they and their children are safe online. We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them.”

A Growing Global Trend

The UK is not alone in considering stricter age limits for social media. Australia introduced the world’s first nationwide ban for under‑16s in December, while the European Parliament has proposed an EU‑wide minimum age for accessing social media, video‑sharing platforms and AI companions. Poland is also preparing legislation requiring platforms to verify users’ ages to block minors from signing up.

Scrutiny of Social Media and AI Platforms

The debate comes at a time when both social media companies and AI developers face intense criticism over harmful and potentially illegal content. UK regulator Ofcom recently opened an investigation into Elon Musk’s platform X, following reports that users had prompted Grok AI to generate nude images of individuals — including minors — raising concerns about the creation of child sexual abuse material.