Update on Social Media Ban Under 16
Latest UK Update on Social Media Ban for Under‑16s
MPs reject an outright ban (10 March 2026)
On 10 March 2026, MPs voted against a proposed amendment that would have banned social media for under‑16s.
The vote was 307 to 173 against including the ban in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Concerns included pushing teens into “unregulated corners of the internet” (as raised by the NSPCC).
However, the possibility is not dead — the government has reserved powers for future restrictions.
What is happening instead?
Although MPs rejected an immediate ban, they approved giving ministers new powers that could lead to restrictions later.
Government powers now include the ability to:
Restrict or ban access for certain age groups
Limit VPN use among children
Turn off addictive platform features (e.g., autoplay, infinite scroll)
Raise the UK digital age of consent
These powers will be shaped by the outcome of an ongoing national consultation.
Government launches major consultation (opened 2nd March 2026)
A large-scale consultation is currently underway exploring:
Whether to introduce a social media ban for under‑16s
Whether platforms should have minimum age requirements
Limits on AI chatbots used by children
Digital curfews and screen‑time limits
Restrictions on addictive design features
Real-world pilot tests with UK teenagers
This is described as “the world’s most ambitious consultation on children’s digital wellbeing.”
Trials underway with UK teenagers
Around 150 teenagers (aged 13–15) are participating in pilot trials to test:
Complete social media bans
1‑hour daily limits
Overnight curfews Their sleep, mood, and activity levels are being assessed.
These trials will inform whether the UK adopts an Australian‑style ban.
Context: Momentum from abroad
The UK debate is strongly influenced by:
Australia, which already enforces an under‑16 ban.
Indonesia, which has just legislated a ban beginning March 28 (not UK, but influencing discussion).