STORY
The Government is considering whether to introduce new restrictions on children’s use of social media, including a possible ban for under-16s, according to a House of Commons Library briefing.
The briefing said ministers launched a consultation in January 2026 on children’s relationships with mobile phones and social media, with the process opening on 2 March and closing on 26 May. It is seeking views on whether there should be a minimum age for social media, whether addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay should be switched off, whether overnight curfews should be introduced and how age verification should be strengthened.
The issue has moved beyond consultation after parliamentary pressure over the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools legislation. The briefing said Part 3 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will require the Government to impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16, following defeats in the House of Lords over proposals that would have created a social media ban for under-16s.
Ofcom figures cited in the briefing show the scale of children’s online use. Mobile phone ownership rises from 19% among three to five-year-olds to 97% among 13 to 15-year-olds, while 95% of 13 to 15-year-olds use social media and 96% of that age group have their own social media profile. The briefing also noted arguments against a ban, including warnings from children’s charities and online safety groups that it could push children into less regulated online spaces and limit access to support, advice and communities.