UK Considers Following Australian Child Social Media Ban

The UK government opened a consultation into the use of social media by under-16s. Banning kids from social media is one of the options being considered as part of an ongoing drive to protect children online. Measures also include a crackdown on mobile phone use in schools.

In a joint statement, government departments covering science, technology, and education explained that the opinions of parents, children, and general society would be sought. Ministers plan to visit Australia, where under-16s are banned from major social media sites, to assess its approach. “Evidence from around the world will be examined on a wide range of suggested proposals, including looking at whether a social media ban for children would be effective and if one was introduced, how best to make it work,” the government stated.

Other options include raising the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews, and restricting what are deemed “addictive design features,” including the ability to constantly scroll. The government also unveiled tougher guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools. It noted that it is increasingly clear that schools need to be phone-free environments with no access to devices in lessons, breaks, or between lessons.

Updated guidance will be implemented using behavior management in schools and by setting out clear expectations for teachers and school staff. This includes staff not accessing their own mobile phones for personal use in front of children. The government noted immediate action in this area would include the education standards body, Ofsted, checking school policies on phone use during routine inspections. It added that schools are expected to be phone-free by default thanks to the announcement.