Seven in 10 British parents back under-16s social media ban

Today [15 April 2026], MPs consider an amendment banning social media for under-16s, as over seven in 10 British parents support an Australian-style social media ban in the UK, according to new research from Opinium.

The Australian ban took effect in December 2025. It prevents under-16s from using 10 social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill returns to the House of Commons today. MPs will consider a Conservative amendment passed by the House of Lords to introduce a similar ban in the UK, while the Government’s own consultation process on a social media ban for under-16s is underway.

Two thirds (66 per cent) of the UK population as a whole support a social media ban for under-16s. Over 55s are more likely to be supportive (73 per cent). A majority of 25-34-year-olds are also in favour (66 per cent), along with half (51 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds.

The most common reasons given by parents for supporting a social media ban are reducing online harm caused to young people (61 per cent) and improvements to young people’s mental health (59 per cent). Over half (55 per cent) of parents who support the ban do so because it would reduce young people’s screen time and encourage healthier child development.

Phones away

Two in five parents (39 per cent) support a ‘bring-no-use’ policy on mobile phones in schools. This is where students are barred from using their phone throughout the school day.

A quarter of parents say children should not be allowed to bring their phone into school at all. One in five think they should be able to use their phone in breaks. But only 5 per cent of parents think students should be allowed to use their phones to support them during lessons.

Parents favour tougher school discipline to improve learning

With students losing seven minutes of learning time on average every half an hour due to misbehaviour, parents show an unrelenting focus on their children’s learning environment in school. Nearly three in five (59 per cent) parents support the use of isolation rooms in schools. This is where students who have misbehaved complete schoolwork away from their peers. This figure rises to 65 per cent of parents with sixth-form age children.

Over half of all parents (55 per cent) support silent corridors in schools. This is a policy where students walk between lessons silently without talking. Over two thirds (67 per cent) of parents also agree that permanent exclusion is sometimes necessary.

Sanctions for poor behaviour, not lack of achievement

Parents show strong support for pupils receiving sanctions for misbehaviour in class (82 per cent). A majority of parents also support disciplinary action for not submitting homework (64 per cent). 53 per cent also support sanctions for being late to school or class. Support for sanctions based on academic performance is much lower. Fewer than one in five (19 per cent) parents supporting disciplinary action based on low test scores.

Marissa Razak, researcher at Opinium and former secondary teacher, comments:

“Our research shows broad parental support for stricter controls on children’s social media and smartphone access, particularly in schools, as well as sanctions for poor student behaviour. More than seven in ten parents endorse a social media ban for under-16s, while a majority also support restrictions on phone use during the school day. We also see strong backing for strict disciplinary approaches in schools, alongside a clear belief that sanctions should be linked to behaviour rather than academic performance.”

Melanie Sanderson, managing editor at The Good Schools Guide, comments:

“Parents want schools to cut the noise so children can concentrate. From tighter rules on smartphones and social media to firmer behaviour policies, families are backing anything that protects quality learning time and supports young people’s wellbeing.

“Parents we speak to value clear boundaries, alongside enthusiastic, experienced teachers, good facilities and equipment, and rich co‑curricular opportunities. The families we help want their child’s school to set the tone for – or reflect – their own parenting ethos. When that alignment is there, children thrive.”

[Updated: 16/04/2026]

Yesterday evening, UK MPs rejected calls to ban social media for under-16s, which had been backed by peers in the House of Lords, for a second time.