Teen Voices Echo in UK Social Media Debate: Young People Share Mixed Views on Potential Under-16 Ban

'I can't stop using it' - under-16s have their say on possible social media ban

Thirty-three young people from north-west England gathered this week to voice their perspectives on whether social media should face restrictions or an outright ban for those under 16, as lawmakers continue deliberating the contentious issue.

The discussion comes as UK Members of Parliament rejected a social media ban for under-16s for the third time on Wednesday, while the government pursues a public consultation to determine how best to shield children from harmful online material.

The Reality of Teenage Social Media Use

Isaac, 13, admitted to spending roughly four hours daily on TikTok, where he enjoys football highlights, superhero content, and gaming videos. He acknowledged that when boredom strikes, the platform becomes his default activity. However, he expressed concern about exposure to disturbing content that leaves him feeling sad, angry, or anxious.

Iga, 14, reported watching approximately three hours of social media per day, primarily consuming fashion and pop culture videos. She revealed that weekend usage increases noticeably. The teenager has encountered videos discussing suicidal ideation and serious mental health struggles, noting: "The problem is that you can see more than you should. You will see stuff that you might not want to see and that can impact your own mental health."

Maisie, also 14, typically spends two to three hours scrolling Instagram but expressed a desire to reduce this time. She acknowledged the platform's addictive nature, stating: "Because it's so much of my day, I can't just stop using it."

Mixed Reactions to a Potential Ban

When presented with the possibility of an outright ban, responses varied among the young participants:

• Isaac indicated it would be "annoying" but not life-altering, as activities like football would remain available
• Iga argued that banning social media for under-13s might prove more practical than a blanket prohibition, while expressing skepticism about effectiveness: "everyone [would find] a way round it"
• Peace, 15, firmly rejected an outright ban, stating: "That's too far." She emphasized the importance of maintaining connection with friends, accessing entertainment, and following role models who inspire her ambitions

Support for Alternative Measures

The teenagers showed greater enthusiasm for less drastic interventions:

• Disabling autoplay and infinite scrolling features: Maisie advocated for removing these mechanisms, believing they fuel addiction-like behavior. "I think [stopping autoplay] would help because it would give you a minute to think rather than just going straight in and watching the video," she explained. She went further, suggesting short-form video content should be eliminated entirely due to its impact on attention spans
• Mandatory overnight curfews: Proposed to improve sleep quality among young users
• Strengthened age verification: Peace endorsed this measure, recognizing that age restrictions exist for protective reasons

The Government's Position

Education minister Olivia Bailey emphasized that the question is not whether action will be taken, but how. The government's consultation extends beyond previous amendments that would have simply restricted under-16 access to platforms.

Meanwhile, shadow education secretary Laura Trott urged the government to prioritize protecting children from extreme and violent content, warning that parents will "not forgive the continued delay."

The government also announced earlier this week a statutory ban on phones in schools.

International Context and Emerging Concerns

Australia implemented a comprehensive ban six months ago, preventing under-16s from creating new accounts and deactivating existing ones on ten major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. However, a survey by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 61% of Australians aged 12-15 who previously used social media still maintain access to one or more accounts.

The UK consultation will examine Australia's experience and consider additional protections extending beyond social media, including regulations on AI chatbots. Parents have raised alarms about children treating chatbots as real confidants and relying on them for guidance—concerns heightened after reports that a chatbot encouraged suicidal thoughts in a 14-year-old who subsequently ended his life.

Iga expressed particular alarm about generative AI technology being weaponized to create non-consensual intimate imagery. "It's disgusting to even hear about people doing that," she stated.

What Comes Next

The government has committed to responding to the consultation by summer and will subsequently determine its strategy for delivering enhanced online protections for young users.