PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Raise the minimum age for social media accounts to 16 In the UK
Introduce a law to raise the minimum age for social media accounts to 16. Require platforms to use robust age verification to enforce this and protect young people’s mental health, wellbeing, and safety online.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
Background
Social media is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and harmful content exposure in children. Under-16s are especially vulnerable. Other countries, including Australia, are introducing stricter laws to protect children online. The UK must act now to prioritise child safety over corporate profit.