Make it illegal for 18+ adults to have sex with under 18s
Keep the legal age of consent at 16, but make it illegal for adults aged 18 or over to have sexual activity with anyone under 18. This could protect minors from grooming and adult exploitation while still allowing legal relationships between peers aged 16–17.
Signatures
435
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 435/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 435/100,000
- 14 FEB 2026Petition closedFinal total: 435 signatures
- 14 AUG 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We do not think that adults aged 18 or over should be allowed to have sex with anyone under 18. Although the age of consent is 16, 16–17-year-olds are still developing emotionally and mentally, and can be more vulnerable to grooming, coercion, and manipulation by adults. We believe this change could improve protection for teenagers, and align the law with existing safeguarding standards used in education and youth services.