UK considers social media ban for under-16s, but evidence from Australia raises concerns

The UK government has announced plans to impose a social media ban for children under 16, a move that has drawn both support and skepticism. Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday aims to protect young people from the harms of infinite scrolling, manipulative content, and online exploitation. However, critics argue that such a ban may be ineffective and could cut young people off from vital news and social connections.

Evidence from Australia, which enacted similar legislation in December 2024, offers a cautionary tale. According to one study, two-thirds of young Australians retained their social media accounts despite the ban, while 51% of those most affected reported seeing less news. Experts note that young people often consume news incidentally through social media, and removing that access without providing alternative sources could leave them uninformed.

Rosie Parkyn, head of the Guardian Foundation, writes that social media platforms have largely abandoned trust and safety protocols, content moderation, and support for fact-checkers. Yet, she argues, a ban alone is not a solution. Instead, she advocates for media literacy education, which is set to become part of the national curriculum in England from September 2028. She warns that disconnection can be dangerous, as young people use social media to connect and express themselves in the absence of other spaces like youth clubs and community organisations.

The Guardian Foundation runs media literacy programmes in UK schools, teaching children to verify information, understand algorithms, and recognise how content can manipulate emotions. Parkyn calls for building alternative routes to news and information, rather than simply restricting access, to truly help young people navigate the digital world safely and critically.