Statement – Social media ban for under-16s

The Prime Minister has announced that UK children under the age of 16 will be banned from social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram under new measures aimed at safeguarding children.

Community welcomes this move given algorithmic feeds can increase exposure to dangerous or overly engaging material – something parents and educators have been concerned about for a while.

The Government has said it is going further than a “blanket ban” and will work to put a series of other measures in place, including a block on under 16s livestreaming themselves across all platforms.

The measures could be brought to Parliament before Christmas, with the first set of regulations expected to come into effect in Spring 2027.

Community’s National Secretary for Education and Early Years, Helen Osgood, said:

“The move to ban social media for under-16s is a decisive step in the right direction from the Labour Government, and one that could have a far-reaching, positive impact on the lives of children in the UK.

“Online safety is an issue our members in the education sector are acutely aware of, and for too long school staff have felt alone when helping school children with problems exacerbated by social media use, such as cyber bullying and exposure to harmful imagery.

“The proposed protections, which are comprehensive in scope, will help to address growing safeguarding concerns while also encouraging under-16s to replace scrolling with playing.

“These plans represent a defining moment in the ongoing battle to make the digital world safer for children, and Community will follow along and keep members updated as the regulations are brought into effect.”