UK Government Launches Sweeping Consultation on Social Media Ban for Under-16s and School Mobile Phone Restrictions

The UK government has launched a nationwide consultation to explore banning social media for under-16s, following Australia’s introduction of the world’s first such ban in December 2025. The initiative forms part of a broader package aimed at protecting young people’s wellbeing, which includes strengthened guidance for schools to operate as phone-free environments and the involvement of Ofsted in monitoring compliance. Ministers will seek views from parents, young people, and civil society on measures such as improved age verification, restrictions on addictive app features, phone curfews, and potential adjustments to the digital age of consent. The consultation comes amid pressure from MPs, bereaved parents, and opposition parties, while some charities and experts caution that blanket bans may have unintended consequences, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to online safety.