Today’s announcement of a UK ban on social media for under-16s is a significant moment in how we think about young people’s digital lives, but it’s not the outcome that many hoped for.

At a time when we already have regulatory levers available, including the Online Safety Act, it’s concerning that this approach appears to have been rushed through without fully exploring how existing frameworks can be built on and used to hold platforms accountable.

The PM also compared this announcement similar to that of banning alcohol and that young people can bypass it. But the scale at which young people can bypass social media a ban is just a few clicks away, much easier than bypassing physical ID checks at pubs, bars and supermarkets.

A blanket ban risks placing too much responsibility on children, young people and their families to navigate harms that are actually designed into the systems they are using. Social media platforms are not neutral spaces, they are engineered to maximise engagement, often in ways that can be addictive and harmful

We need to shift the focus of responsibility. Rather than mandating that young people won’t have access to these spaces, the government need to define what they mean by ‘social media platforms’ and explore:

  • Why are platforms allowed to operate in ways that expose children to risk?
  • How can regulation more effectively address design features that drive compulsive use?
  • What would safer-by-design digital environments look like?

Young people benefit from online spaces, for connection, creativity, identity and support. Many young people do not have access to offline infrastructure; the removal of social media alone may lead them to other less regulated parts of the internet. The challenge is not simply to remove access, but to make those spaces safer, healthier and more equitable, as set out in the Joint Statement of Principles we signed with over 30 over organisations. We also want to continue to see investment in offline spaces, so that the removal of social media doesn’t stop young people from being able to develop relationships and community.

If we are serious about protecting children and young people’s mental health, then regulation must go further, and it must focus squarely on the companies shaping these environments.

This is a complex issue, and quick fixes risk missing the bigger picture. We need long-term, evidence-informed approaches that place accountability where it belongs.

You can read our full statement around this topic here: Blog: A social media ban won’t be a quick-fix to the complex nature of growing up in an online world | CYPMHC