There is a huge conversation happening across the UK about whether there should be a social media ban for under 16s.
Lots of people are asking the question about whether under 16’s should be legally banned from using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. You might have heard talks about this in the news, seen it trending on socials, or even had teachers mention it in school.
It’s a huge topic, and while nothing has changed yet in the UK, there is a lot of debate. Following the news that Australia recently started its own ban, the UK government has launched a consultation to decide what to do here. Here is a breakdown of what’s happening, why people are arguing about it, and what it actually means for you.
What’s happening?
Right now, the UK government is looking at different ways to change how children and young people spend time online. While a total ban is the main idea, the government are also thinking about digital curfews to stop apps from sending you pings at night. They might also force tech companies to remove things like streaks that make you feel like you have to log in every day. To make any of this work, they would need much stricter ways to check your age, like using a face scan or an ID to prove how old you are.
The government is currently in a listening phase. They’re talking to experts, tech companies, and schools to see what people think. It’s a big choice between keeping people safe and letting people be free to use social media as they want.
The social media ban debate
Some people think a ban is the best way to keep everyone safe. They worry that the way apps are built can lead to things like anxiety, low mood, or not getting enough sleep. People argue that these apps are made to be addictive. They believe a legal age limit would take the pressure off young people to be always online and help them focus more on real life and school.
On the other side, some people think a ban is a mistake. They say that social media is an important way to stay connected, especially for people who feel lonely or want to find others with the same hobbies. There is also a worry that if you ban the big apps, people will just move to secret parts of the internet that are much more dangerous. Instead of a ban, they argue that children and young people should be taught how to stay safe online rather than just being blocked from it.
Need to talk?
If you need support and help, our advisers at Meic are here to listen and offer information, advice and advocacy. We are a free, bilingual, anonymous helpline available on the phone, WhatsApp message, text or online chat.
