ABA response to the Government's proposed social media ban for under 16s

Published

15 Jun 2026

The Anti-Bullying Alliance shares the Government's desire to better protect children and young people online. Too many children experience bullying, harassment and abuse through digital platforms, which can have a significant impact on their wellbeing, mental health and education.

Blog title with image of young person on phone

Much will depend on the detail of any proposed measures, including how they would be implemented, enforced and evaluated. However, based on what has been announced so far, we have serious concerns about whether a blanket social media ban for under 16s will effectively address these harms. Children and young people have repeatedly told us that they want action on the systems and features that contribute to online harms. While today's announcement focuses on access, many of the factors that enable bullying, harassment and abuse online remain unchanged.

A ban may affect who can access social media, but it does not address the conditions that allow bullying and other harms to occur online. We are concerned that children and young people will continue to access social media despite restrictions, potentially moving to less regulated spaces where they are harder to reach and may face greater risks. Experience from Australia has already raised questions about how effective these measures will be in practice, particularly where children continue to access platforms despite restrictions.

At the same time, there is a danger that social media companies could face less pressure to make their platforms safer if responsibility shifts towards keeping children off platforms rather than tackling the harmful features, systems and algorithms that can amplify bullying, harassment, abuse and other online harms. Parents and policymakers must not be given a false sense of security that this issue has been solved.

Children and young people cannot wait for safer online experiences. Platforms should be designed to prevent harm, with robust moderation, safer algorithms, effective reporting systems and strong enforcement when companies fail to act.

We are also concerned that today's announcement has been made without clear information about how these measures would work in practice or what support will be available to children, schools and families. Many young people will have heard headlines suggesting they are about to lose access to social media, without any explanation of what this means for them, what support will be available, or whether their views have been heard in the process. Children and young people deserve clarity, reassurance, evidence and meaningful involvement in decisions that affect their lives.

Finally, we hope that any proposals in this area are accompanied by meaningful investment in children's wider lives. Young people need safe places to meet, socialise, learn, create and belong. Improving children's wellbeing cannot be achieved through restrictions alone. It requires sustained investment in the services, opportunities and communities that help children thrive both online and offline.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance believes that protecting children online requires a comprehensive approach that combines regulation, platform accountability, education and support for children, parents and schools. Whatever measures are introduced, the Government must continue to hold technology companies responsible for creating safer online environments and ensure that the Online Safety Act delivers the safer online experiences that children and families have been promised and deserve.