Should the UK follow Australia’s lead and ban under-16s from social media?

Australia leads with social media ban

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media platforms, with companies facing fines of up to $50 million for non-compliance.

A coalition of UK organisations, including the National Education Union and Health Professionals for Safer Screens, is calling on the UK government to follow Australia’s lead and implement similar legislation without delay.

Campaigners believe that social media is causing systemic damage to our society. It is fuelling catastrophic harm to children’s health, driving radicalisation and crime, and through an epidemic of mental illness including anxiety and lost productivity, creating a generation of broken young people. The time for consultation is over. Urgent action is needed now.

Mounting evidence of harm

The number of children in contact with mental health services has increased almost five-fold since 2016. Eating disorders among 17 to 19-year-olds have increased sixteen-fold since 2017. Almost one in five terrorism-related arrests are now of children under 18. Some 27,000 young people are estimated to be exploited in county lines operations, recruited and coordinated through social media. 70 per cent of children have seen violent imagery online, many without searching for it. This summer, the director general of MI5, along with other security chiefs, issued a warning urging parents to keep their children safe given the rise in online radicalisation.

Lord Nash, former schools minister said:

“Australia has become the first major nation to protect its children from social media. This should be a wake-up call for us. Britain should be leading the world on child safety, not lagging behind. 

“My amendment would adopt exactly what Australia has done – at no cost to the taxpayer and with overwhelming public support. The evidence is mounting, other countries are acting. The government must back it.”

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“Every day, teachers see the damage Big Tech is doing to children and young people. Students are arriving at school exhausted, anxious, and already overwhelmed by what they’ve seen on social media.

“Australia is leading the way and we cannot let the UK fall behind. That is why the NEU is calling on the government to act now and give children back their childhood.”

Dr Becky Foljambe, founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens and practising GP, said:

“The clinical evidence is now overwhelming. We are seeing an epidemic of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders in young people that correlates directly with smartphone and social media use. This is a public health emergency. Australia has acted to protect its children. The UK government must do the same.”

Three quarters of UK adults support banning under-16s from social media. The government must back Lord Nash’s amendment as well as launching a public health campaign to better inform parents and the frontline professionals who look after them of the risks posed to children online.

What is the way forward?

However, this bold initiative divides opinion. While the intention to protect children is commendable, an outright ban may not address the root causes of harm. Social media is deeply integrated into education, communication, and social development. Restricting access could isolate young people, limit digital literacy, and create enforcement challenges. Instead of prohibition, a balanced approach, such as stricter age verification, parental controls, and digital education, might mitigate risks without removing the benefits of online connectivity.

Should the UK follow Australia’s lead and ban under-16s from social media to avert public health emergency? Australia’s move highlights the urgency of safeguarding children online, but legislation alone might not be a panacea. Perhaps the UK should act decisively, but with a nuanced strategy that protects children while preparing them for a digital future.