The UK government has announced a major consultation on potentially introducing an Australia-style ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. This significant policy shift comes after intense pressure from backbench MPs, campaigners, and bereaved families.
A Softened Stance and New School Rules
Having initially opposed a blanket ban, the government's position changed in recent days. The consultation, launched on Monday 19 January 2026, will examine the merits of following Australia's lead in prohibiting younger teenagers from platforms.
Simultaneously, and with more immediate effect, the Department for Education is publishing strengthened guidance for schools in England, making it unequivocal that schools should be "phone-free environments." While not a legislative ban, Ofsted will now scrutinise how effectively individual schools implement their mobile phone policies during inspections.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated firmly: "Mobile phones have no place in our schools. No ifs, no buts." The new guidance will come into force from the start of the summer term after Easter.
Scope of the Consultation and Political Pressure
The wide-ranging social media consultation will not only assess an age ban but also explore:
- Improving the accuracy of age verification technology.
- Assessing if the current digital age of consent is set too low.
- Examining the removal of addictive features like social media "streaks" and infinite scrolling.
This move follows substantial political pressure. A key trigger was a scheduled vote in the House of Lords on Wednesday on a Conservative amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Tabled by former schools minister Lord Nash, the amendment would force platforms to use "highly-effective age assurance" to block under-16s.
Lord Nash criticised the government's consultation announcement, saying it "offers nothing" to campaigners and that "the longer we delay, the more children we fail." The amendment has also been backed by Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna, and other bereaved parents.
Broader Context and Support
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised that the government intends to build upon the existing Online Safety Act. She acknowledged that while technology holds great potential, "we will only seize on that potential if people know they and their children are safe online."
The announcements align with warnings from doctors about the "health harms" of tech on young people. Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, welcomed the "serious, evidence-led consultation," stating that for too long, tech firms have prioritised profit over safety.
Data underpinning the school phone move reveals that while most schools have policies, 58% of secondary pupils report phones being used without permission in some lessons, rising to 65% among 14 to 16-year-olds.
