A significant number of voters are in favor of implementing an Australia-style prohibition on social media for individuals under the age of 16. Recently, millions of young individuals in the country were restricted from accessing various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitter (now X), YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch. According to a Mirror survey, 64% of respondents support a comparable ban for those under 16, while only 19% oppose the notion.
Joani Reid, a Scottish Labour MP and Chair of the Children’s Online Safety APPG, has cautioned that the current situation is failing children. She emphasized that the public is more progressive than the political discourse, recognizing the detrimental effects of unregulated social media on children and advocating for action to be taken. Reid suggested that following Australia’s lead in prioritizing young people over tech giants could be beneficial for the UK, framing the ban as a safeguarding measure rather than punitive.
Various stakeholders have called for restrictions on social media access for teenagers, citing concerns about the negative impact on youth. Brianna Ghey’s mother has advocated for a ban on social media and limited smartphone access for those under 16, highlighting the need to protect children from harmful content. Additionally, Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly tragically took her own life due to exposure to dangerous material online, has raised alarm about the risks faced by young individuals on social media platforms.
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister previously proposed a Private Member’s Bill that included a ban for individuals under 16, although the bill was later diluted to secure government support on other fronts. Labour MP Jess Asato supported MacAlister’s initiative, underscoring the myriad harms associated with children’s unrestricted access to social media.
While Keir Starmer has expressed reservations about implementing a ban, the UK government is closely monitoring Australia’s implementation of the policy. Asato believes that the UK risks falling behind other nations if it does not seriously consider adopting a similar ban for under-16s. She emphasized the need for the UK to lead in child protection online and urged policymakers to prioritize the well-being of children over the interests of tech corporations.
Daisy Greenwell, from Smartphone Free Childhood, highlighted the widespread understanding among the public, parents, and teenagers regarding the need to regulate social media for children. She commended Australia’s proactive stance and urged the UK to align with families and children rather than prioritize tech companies’ profits.
Contrary to calls for a ban, the NSPCC acknowledged the potential benefits of social media for young individuals and refrained from endorsing a blanket prohibition. NSPCC Chief Executive Chris Sherwood emphasized the importance of protecting young people from harm on social media while cautioning against overly restrictive measures that could push teenagers into unregulated online spaces, increasing their vulnerability.
In response to the polling data, a Government spokesperson clarified that there are no immediate plans for a blanket ban on social media for under-16s. However, they affirmed the government’s commitment to monitoring international approaches, including Australia’s, and highlighted existing measures under the Online Safety Act aimed at safeguarding minors from harmful online content.
Deltapoll conducted an online survey with 1,997 British adults between December 16th and December 18th, 2025, with the data weighted to reflect the overall British adult population.