A significant debate is unfolding in the United Kingdom regarding the regulation of social media access for young people, with growing calls for a ban on these platforms for under-16s. This movement is spearheaded by the Conservative party and strongly supported by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), both citing concerns over the detrimental effects of addictive platforms on teenagers' mental health, concentration, and behavior.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has advocated for implementing an age limit of 16 for social media, drawing parallels with Australia's recent introduction of similar restrictions. She emphasized that many children are spending excessive hours on platforms designed to be addictive, which profit from their anxiety and distraction. Badenoch stated the objective is to ensure common sense protection for children and provide parents with reassurance that the government understands their concerns. If elected, the Conservatives propose to ban smartphones in schools and mandate social media companies, including TikTok and Snapchat, to utilize age verification tools to prevent access for those under 16, with the policy's scope remaining under review.

Adding to this pressure, the NASUWT, one of the UK’s largest teaching unions, has unequivocally called for the government to enact legislation banning social media for under-16s. The union believes such a measure would significantly improve children's concentration in school and mitigate damaging mental health issues. Matt Wrack, NASUWT general secretary, highlighted that teachers routinely deal with the repercussions of a social media landscape ill-suited for children, asserting that tech companies have consistently failed to act responsibly without external compulsion. Wrack insisted that a statutory ban for under-16s is urgently needed to safeguard children, protect their mental health, and address the ongoing behavioral crisis in schools.

Evidence presented by NASUWT underscores these concerns. Ofsted, the schools watchdog, raised alarms at the close of the previous year about social media eroding children's attention spans and fostering disrespectful behavior. A 2025 survey of 5,800 NASUWT teacher members revealed that 81% reported an increase in violent and abusive pupil behavior, with 59% attributing this deterioration primarily to social media. Furthermore, a separate poll of 300 members indicated overwhelming support, with 89% in favor of a statutory social media ban for under-16s.

While the Conservatives and teaching unions push for stricter regulations, the current government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has expressed initial reservations. Prime Minister Starmer has previously voiced personal opposition to such a ban, a stance echoed by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. However, the government is reportedly closely monitoring the impact and reception of Australia’s ban, which prevents under-16s from creating accounts on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch, and is actively considering its policy options.

A government spokesperson, responding to the growing calls, stated that they support headteachers in implementing measures to prevent disruption in schools, noting that the vast majority already restrict phone use during the school day. The spokesperson also highlighted the Online Safety Act as a significant legislative effort, which mandates social media companies to provide age-appropriate experiences online and protect under-18s from harmful content. They affirmed the government's aim to strike a balance: safeguarding children from harm while ensuring they can safely benefit from the digital world.