Plans to ban social media for under-16s
Written by Amelia Anderson on 13th March 2026
Following Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, the UK government is now considering the same.
Last year, Australia enforced a ban on several social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Tik Tok, and now the UK government is considering following suit.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that stricter restrictions would be placed on social media companies as part of the Online Safety Act but that a complete ban was still under consultation.
A petition was launched to encourage the government to ban social media for under-16s, which reached over 80,000 signatures but has now closed.
The petition said a ban could protect children’s mental health and childhood and that: “Evidence shows it can cause harm and expose children to bullying, addiction and inappropriate content.”
The government responded to the petition: “On the 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation. This will include the option of banning social media for children under 16.”
In January, the UK House of Lords voted in support of a ban on social media for under-16s.
On Tuesday, the UK House of Commons voted against a ban on social media, however, the consultation looking into the ban is still underway.
Ten platforms are currently banned in Australia: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok, X, Threads, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and Twitch.
Children and parents are not punished for ignoring the ban, instead social media companies face fines of up to A$49.4m (£25m).
Social media platforms should now use age assurance technologies, including photo ID or selfies for verification.
Critics of the ban have argued that education about the dangers of social media and how to use them safely would be more effective than a ban.
ABC reported that countless children under 16 have managed to get around the ban or the ban has not been enforced on their accounts at all.
I asked people at the University of Sunderland about their opinion on a social media ban for under-16s, check out the video below…
