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Social Media Ban for Under-16s
15 June 2026
Lead MP
Liz Kendall
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Culture, Media & SportMental HealthChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 59
At a Glance
Liz Kendall raised concerns about social media ban for under-16s in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today marks a defining moment as we launch the foundation of a new online world settlement to ensure children have the best start in life and parents regain control. Parents struggle with social media, balancing its benefits against risks to mental health, concentration, and self-esteem. The consultation received over 116,000 responses, highlighting concerns about harmful content, abuse, and exploitation, impacting sleep, school performance, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Nine out of ten parents want an outright ban on social media for under-16s. I announce the first steps towards banning social media companies from providing services to under-16-year-olds.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
What additional resource is provided to Ofcom? What definitions will be set out for platforms in scope?
Minister reply
We are considering providing more resources to Ofcom. Precise definitions of what brings a platform into scope will be detailed once the regulations are drafted.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
How confident is the Secretary of State about achieving her timeline? What privacy protections will be in place?
Minister reply
I am committed to a spring 2027 deadline for regulations. Privacy protections include guidelines on handling children's images during age verification processes.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
What are the specifics of updating the Online Safety Act to remove illegal content faster? How will this be implemented?
Minister reply
The update aims to expedite the removal of illegal content during crises. Specific details on implementation will be shared once regulations are finalized.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
The Prime Minister’s about-turn tells many stories. Officials’ heads have been left spinning trying to retrofit details to this damascene conversion. The Online Safety Act 2023 was a step forward, but we better understand now that it is not just what children see, but how social media works. What additional resource is the Secretary of State giving to Ofcom? Does she expect tech companies to contribute more towards the regulator’s budget or will the funding come from her own budget?
Minister reply
We are moving swiftly because bereaved families have said change should not be delayed. The fact that this Government can implement policy quickly due to powers in the Children Act 1989 means a vote on the ban by end of year and implementation early in 2027. Ofcom will conduct an urgent review before coming to Parliament for more resources if needed.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
The model the Government is following covers not just named companies, but others as publicly available information. What privacy protections are in place if children’s images are taken as part of face scanning for age verification? Is she considering age verification at app store level?
Minister reply
Privacy is at heart of measures with strict requirements about data collected, use and deletion. AI chatbot measures apply to those aged 18 and under due to parallels with issues like pornography.
Julia Dockerill
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Question
The Secretary of State put out a comment last week on essentially incitement to violence online. If somebody incites violence online, it is the same as offline and not acceptable. How will this be defined and what assurances can she offer that actions do not stoke unrest?
Minister reply
If somebody breaks the law and incites violence, they should face full consequences whether online or offline. Ofcom’s updated code of practice about taking down illegal material in crisis moments is being laid in Parliament.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
As many parents know, British children have been the subjects of a harmful mass experiment by big tech companies. While appreciating the Government's action, the questioner urges the Secretary of State to revisit her Committee’s 2025 report and address the advertising-driven business model that incentivises these harms, as well as impose transparency requirements.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked her for raising important points and mentioned ongoing efforts within her Department and DCMS to look into advertising issues. She highlighted measures in the Online Safety Act but indicated willingness to explore further actions, especially during crises.
Victoria Collins
Lib Dem
Question
Welcoming the Government's action on child online safety, the MP criticises the delay and lack of comprehensive measures. She questions the framework for new platforms, enforcement mechanisms, and differentiation between services like YouTube and YouTube Kids.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that they are following the Australian model but with rigorous enforcement, including focusing on age-assurance measures. She noted the speed at which technology changes necessitates swift legislative action.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham, Yardley
Question
Acknowledging the Secretary of State's hard work on this issue, the MP inquires why device-level age verification cannot be used for social media access.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that while they expect companies to act and will legislate, the ban is specifically targeted at under-16s to set a clear limit.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
Welcoming the announcement, the MP inquires about the net effect of exempting messaging services from the ban while blocking communication from strangers.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that WhatsApp-like apps are not covered by the ban but will regulate features allowing strangers to contact children. Further details will be provided in regulations.
Question
Expressing agreement on banning companion chatbots, the MP asks for clarity on whether we will tolerate business models that exploit people and children through data mining.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed the ban on romantic/sexualised chatbots as well as general ones. She promised to make further statements in July regarding other measures.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
Asks for clarification on enforcement being against companies and not parents; inquires about measures to prevent gaming environments from circumventing the ban.
Minister reply
Clarifies that enforcement will target companies, mentioning fines up to 10% of worldwide revenue and service blocking capabilities. Confirms the plan uses an Australian model but can address specific risky features.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Question
Welcomes decisive action, asking about reviewing the list of banned applications to keep pace with technological advancements.
Minister reply
Responds that they are adopting an 'Australia plus' model including bans on providers and functions; commits to continue engagement for ongoing adaptation.
Question
Suggests a unanimous view from the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee emphasising company responsibility.
Minister reply
Agrees that responsibility is on platforms which must comply with existing laws and this new ban.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Question
Welcomes the decision, inquires about ensuring free education resources post-ban.
Minister reply
States schools will receive support to prepare children for online life; mentions new curriculum measures coming into effect.
Question
Inquires about accountability mechanisms for platforms tasked with enforcing the ban.
Minister reply
Explains existing requirements under the Online Safety Act, mentioning fines and service blocking provisions.
Sam Carling
SNP
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
Question
Welcomes tackling infinite scrolling but expresses concern about young LGBT individuals losing valuable online support.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concerns, mentions new resources and support mechanisms outside the Australian model.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Highlights societal dangers including antisemitic content and needs for critical thinking about online sources.
Minister reply
Confirms curriculum revisions to include social media, AI, deepfakes, and critical thinking skills.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Bristol North West
Question
Welcomes actions for child protection but inquires about exemptions for educational resources.
Minister reply
Confirms the list of exemptions includes educational content to ensure access for young people.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Question
Asks about timing of age assurance assessments and impact on child safety duties.
Minister reply
Explains rapid review will precede regulations, allowing scrutiny; commits to writing further details.
Question
Inquires about transparency in social media companies' algorithms targeting children.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of assessing algorithm impact and company knowledge for better scrutiny.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll and Bute
Question
The SNP welcomes the statement addressing the threat to children's wellbeing. How will the Government tackle gaming platforms such as Roblox, which pose risks similar to social media?
Minister reply
Under the Children Act, we can restrict certain features and functions. We plan to ban live streaming and stranger communication for those under 16, and have it turned off by default for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Question
How will the Government ensure that young people are well informed when they cast their first ballot, given that they get a lot of information online?
Minister reply
We want to support news organisations to provide news information in an appropriate and effective manner. The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts is specifically looking at this issue.
Question
What consideration has been given to enforcement through the device as opposed to age verification by social media providers?
Minister reply
We are acting on devices to stop children taking, viewing or sharing nude images and implementing highly effective age-verification measures on social media platforms.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that this is a huge shift of power away from tech companies back towards children and their families?
Minister reply
Agrees with every word said. This is about liberating children from an oppressive life online, helping parents do what they want for kids.
Question
Will the social media ban prevent children from accessing accounts or websites altogether?
Minister reply
We will bring in highly effective age-verification measures to ensure we learn lessons from Australia, but admits that children may still find ways around restrictions.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Wansbeck
Question
What avenues have young people had to feed into the consultation and can there be a guarantee their voices are being listened to?
Minister reply
14,000 children replied to a survey. Many do not want an outright ban but two thirds wanted restrictions. Children's views were heard, but adults must decide what is best.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Why are reports in Australia that as many as 61% of young people get around the restrictions and will she work with Australians to reduce this?
Minister reply
Kids are savvy, but we need rules and boundaries. We want to put age-verification measures in place here.
Question
Will the Government look at collecting children’s personal data and exposing them to leaks and hacks?
Minister reply
In July, a statement will include raising the digital age of consent for greater protections around the use of children's data.
Question
What measures are in place regarding AI chatbots that provide misinformation or bad health information?
Minister reply
Removing access to chatbots allowing sexual relations and content. In July, more about regulating therapy sites will be announced.
Sadik Al-Hassan
Lab
North Somerset
Question
The message from more than 1,200 North Somerset children, families and parents is clear in their support for the new policy. However, they feel that waiting until spring 2027 is too long given the ongoing risks to young people online.
Minister reply
While there is a parliamentary process for regulations, early 2027 is much quicker than normal legislative procedures. The minister commits to pushing the timeline forward.
Adrian Ramsay
Lab
Question
Will action be taken to support vulnerable young people online? Does the secretary agree that addressing the hollowing out of social services is crucial?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the importance of trusted advice and supports initiatives for mentoring and youth opportunities. She agrees that risks outweigh benefits but recognises the need for balance.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Bow
Question
How will the government protect vulnerable young adults over 16 who are targeted by organised criminals, predators, and extremists?
Minister reply
The minister is open to working across Government Departments but acknowledges that the current announcement focuses on social media regulation and not a silver bullet solution.
Monica Harding
Con
Question
What measures will be taken to enforce safety by design duties on tech companies to ensure all kids are safe, especially those who slip through the net?
Minister reply
The minister reiterates that the Online Safety Act requires companies to remove illegal and harmful content for children. She promises more enforcement action.
Rachel Taylor
Con
Question
What further measures will be taken beyond a ban to protect young people from social media harms, such as avoiding a cliff edge at age 16?
Minister reply
The minister agrees that more must be done. She promises further action in July regarding restricting features and functions.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion
Question
What are the consequences for platforms that still allow services to children online despite the ban?
Minister reply
Under the Online Safety Act, companies can face fines up to 10% of their global revenue and service blocking by Ofcom if they repeatedly disobey the law.
Question
Will pressure be kept on tech giants that have acted with impunity during the consultation process?
Minister reply
The minister affirms her commitment to applying pressure on negligent tech companies for the good of the people.
Jim Allister
DUP
Question
Is the Secretary of State satisfied that there are no cross-border loopholes such as virtual private networks with Ireland that could be exploited?
Minister reply
Further research on VPN usage will be conducted, and issues regarding their use by children will be addressed in July.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South East
Question
Have the views of young people genuinely shaped this decision? Will they remain at front and centre as architects of their online world?
Minister reply
The minister understands the difficulty for children today but emphasises that more than half want restrictions on risky features.
Alison Bennett
Con
Question
What proportion of under-16s does the government expect to be prevented from accessing social media?
Minister reply
No targets or goals have been set, but highly effective age verification measures are expected to make a difference.
Chris Webb
Con
Question
What lessons have been learned from Australia regarding the effectiveness of this approach? Will VPNs be banned for under-16s?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges that children are getting around bans using VPNs and promises to address this in July, focusing on highly effective age-assurance measures.
Iqbal Mohamed
Con
Dewsbury and Batley
Question
A massive thank you to the Secretary of State on behalf of parents in Dewsbury and Batley. We have argued in this place that the root problem lies in the illegal content, harmful content and deliberately addictive design of these platforms, which impact children and adults alike. What will the Government do to introduce and enforce regulation so that the platforms, and the services and features they provide, are safe for all?
Minister reply
This is a wake-up call for the companies: “You had your chance. You didn’t fulfil your existing obligations under the law. Enough.” That is really important for us to say. They will remain responsible for fulfilling their obligations under British laws to remove illegal content and to remove harmful content for children.
Battersea
Question
I thank the Secretary of State and the Government for the decisive action they are taking in introducing a ban on social media for under-16s; I know that many teachers, parents and carers in Battersea welcome it. I chaired a recent roundtable with young people, and one young person shared that he was on his phone for 14 hours in one single day. That highlights how serious the problem is. Will the Secretary of State commit to working across Government to look at some of the eye health impacts of excessive screen time on our young people and, where necessary, commit to carrying out research on this important issue?
Minister reply
I am really glad that my hon. Friend has raised this issue. There was an important point in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ response precisely about the physical health implications, as well as mental health implications, for young people.
Tessa Munt
Lib Dem
Wells
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for her statement—it was brilliant. May I raise concerns about historical data held by social media companies? Has she thought about what powers she, and parents and carers, might hold to invoke something like the right to be forgotten, in order to ensure that children’s records and data footprints are destroyed, if that is what is wanted, and the social media companies’ memories are wiped, with a real penalty enforced if they do not comply?
Minister reply
That is not part of the announcement that I have made today. I am always willing to look at people’s arguments on different issues.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab
Oxford East
Question
Five hundred and twenty-seven of my constituents told me that they wanted a ban—I am delighted that the Government have listened to them—and only seven were against. Parents also said in the consultation that they wanted action on recommender algorithms, which are radicalising increasing numbers of adults, who are seeing increasing amounts of extremist content. Will my right hon. Friend come back to us in July with measures to ensure transparency and user control over recommender algorithms?
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for her question; she has campaigned tirelessly on this.
Question
The UK is home to world-leading and award-winning game studios, and some games rely on multi-player communication; it is a core part of their design. The Secretary of State was talking about banning particular features and functions. Can she elaborate on whether the Government have conducted an assessment of the impact that this might have on UK game studios?
Minister reply
We have a brilliant, fantastic, world-leading gaming industry in this country.
Question
Last Friday, I joined pupils at St Bede’s Roman Catholic primary school for their internet safety assembly. Thanks to their headteacher’s regular internet safety assemblies, St Bede’s children are now well versed in the subject. Does the Secretary of State agree that today’s announcement will support the work of many schools and teachers, and send a clear message to big tech that it must now match that commitment?
Minister reply
Absolutely. I have been very clear throughout this statement that the responsibility is on the social media platforms, not on parents or children, and that it is up to them to take the action they need to take.
Question
Parents are doing all they can to keep their children safe online, and are taking the initiative to achieve this. In Epsom and Ewell, I attended a phone-free childhood event at St Martin’s school in Ewell. Over 150,000 people all over the country have signed the pact not to give their children a phone before the age of 14. I welcome today’s announcement as a step forward, but we need to ensure that the ban is enforced. When it is in place, what real enforcement ability will Ofcom have to ensure that social media giants are held to account, in order to safeguard our children?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of enforcement.
Question
I would like to thank the young people in my constituency from Ark Blake Academy, Oasis Academy Arena and Oasis Academy Shirley Park for meeting me to share their views on how to keep them safe online. They were clear that they wanted action against the harmful aspects of social media, but wanted to protect the good bits. Can the Secretary of State outline the work being done across Government to ensure that young people continue to have access to safe opportunities to connect, both online and in their communities? Does she agree that it is time to give proper statutory protection to youth services, so that we ensure that all young people have somewhere safe to go, and something meaningful to do IRL?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right.
Question
Many families and parents will be relieved by the announcement today of the ban for those under the age of 16, but there will also be parents who will be frightened, to a degree, because of the repercussions from children who have addictions. The Secretary of State has stated that children will be given support. Will parents be given some support as well?
Minister reply
Yes, absolutely.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
In the large group of 16 to 18-year-olds from schools in my constituency that I discussed a potential ban with, there was no consensus about whether there should be a ban, but there was strong consensus that they needed good-quality information and education to prevent harm. Will the measures that the Minister mentioned use the best behaviour science knowledge that we have? Will the advice and—
Minister reply
We want to provide the very best advice and support, based on the evidence, to parents, and also through schools.
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, particularly the bit about communication with strangers and chatbots, and I am sure that the parents of South Devon will join me in doing so. However, we know from Australia that an outright ban does not give the big tech companies the incentive to redesign their platforms to make them less addictive, misogynistic or full of toxic, divisive misinformation, so how will the Government continue to pressurise and incentivise the tech companies to make these changes? As she says, there will always be children who circumvent the ban, and there will also be vulnerable adults and older adults who are victims of such misinformation.
Minister reply
The Online Safety Act 2023 requirements remain.
Question
Huge thanks must go to the Secretary of State and all involved. This is the right decision, consulted on in the right way. Tech companies have had more than enough time, but have chosen to engineer for addiction and profit. Will she work across Government to ensure that parents and schools have the support that they need during the transition, alongside investment in the arts, music, drama, creative subjects and youth services, so that children can be children?
Minister reply
Yes. I have had detailed conversations with the Culture Secretary and the Education Secretary about all these issues. There is much more to do, but we are determined to give children the very best start in life, and the freedom to be children again.
Question
As the father of two teenagers, and on behalf of other parents, can I thank and congratulate the Secretary of State on bringing forward this legislation? She has already said a number of times that children will find a workaround, but big tech will also always be looking for a workaround to the legislation and the rules that have been brought forward. Can she give us reassurance that the Government will remain agile, and will fund organisations that will ensure that this dangerous online activity does not flare up?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. There is obviously overwhelming support among parents, teachers, the police and others for an outright ban; then there are those who say that we just need to restrict certain features and functions. The truth is if that if we dealt only with the features and functions, the tech companies would come up with another feature and another function, and then another one—and another one. We are saying, “No, this is the line in the sand. No one under 16 on these.” If there are specific features and functions that go beyond social media, such as in gaming or on other sites, we want to restrict those, too. I hope that the new powers in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will allow us to be more agile, but if they do not, I will always look again, because we have to keep up with how technology is changing.
Question
I thank the Secretary of State and the Minister for online safety, the hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Kanishka Narayan), for their engagement and conversations on this issue. I had social media before I was 16. I deeply understand the concerns, and have experienced the bad, but I also know the value, particularly for working-class kids, of seeing a world outside one’s own—the value for the boy who is growing up without a father and learns to shave from YouTube, for the young person who teaches themselves to code and shapes their career, or for the LGBT community. How is the Department working directly with DFE and DCMS to ensure that we identify these areas of need?
Minister reply
As I said in response to an earlier question, this was the issue that I wanted to grapple with the most. People want to find people who love in the same way, or who like the same things, and they may be worried about doing so where they live with their friends. This is hugely important. There is potential for a life online that still enables those things to happen, but just not on the social media platforms. I want to continue working with my hon. Friend, for whom I have the greatest respect, and the Department for Education to ensure that the chances that social media offered to some are still in place for people who want to experience and believe in different things. We want to give everybody the freedom to express who they are.
Question
In February 2023, Leo Johnson from Stourbridge died by suicide at the age of 19. His mother Jane remembers him as excited and energetic to start his life, and his passion for scuba diving fuelled his decision to study oceanography at the University of Plymouth. He became increasingly absorbed in his phone and social media, and told his friends that it was affecting his mental health—not because of dangerous content, but through the drip, drip, drip of comparison culture, which left him feeling inadequate, anxious and numb. Does the Secretary of State agree that a ban is the right thing to do, so that fewer young people like Leo are harmed?
Minister reply
I am so sorry to hear about what happened to Leo. I heard what my hon. Friend describes so many times during the course of the consultation, and many of the representations we had—from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of General Practitioners and others—raised precisely the issues that she talks about. One of the reasons why the ban is so important is that we must protect children from those serious harms. Two thirds of GPs and two thirds of hospital clinicians say that every single week they see something that they think is a direct consequence of social media. That is a wake-up call to us all.
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West and Royton
Question
I welcome the ban on social media for under-16s. I wish we were not here, but the ban represents the failure of the social media platforms to get their house in order. It was inevitable that we would get here in the end. Does the Secretary of State agree that we need to make social media safe for everyone, including through measures on foreign influence and accountability for the owners, so that when children turn 17 or become adults at 18, they are safe, along with the rest of us?
Minister reply
There are already requirements under the Online Safety Act for companies to remove illegal content, and those deal with the issue of foreign interference, particularly during elections. As I said, I am looking again at some of what the Science and Technology Committee recommended on this issue, because of exactly the concerns that my hon. Friend raises.
Question
The Education Committee heard evidence from Snapchat, which pushed back on the hard evidence and the facts—and on any idea that the platform caused harm to young people at all. It was perhaps no surprise that the e-safety commissioner in Australia opened an investigation into Snapchat for non-compliance with the Australian ban. Against that backdrop, can the Secretary of State confirm that, should the social media companies try to subvert the new rules that we introduce, they will be held accountable, and that parents will not be held accountable for enforcing them?
Minister reply
Absolutely. This is about the social media companies putting their house in order. Lots of people have said, “Won’t you bow to pressure? You’ll cave under it.” I hope that today, we are showing our intention: we want a better life for children; we want to put power into parents’ hands; and we want to reset social norms. That is what this Government are absolutely determined to do.
Shadow Comment
Julia Dockerill
Shadow Comment
I thank the Secretary of State for her statement but criticise the Prime Minister’s delayed support for the ban. The Online Safety Act 2023 was a step forward, but more is needed due to social media's impact on children. The policy’s success depends on its implementation and additional resources provided to Ofcom. Questions include: precise definitions of what brings platforms into scope, how tech companies will contribute, and the timeline for regulations. Privacy protections must be in place if face scanning for age verification is used.
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