PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Ban social media access to children under the age of 16
Government to ban children from using social media platforms until the age of 16 and issue penalties to social media providers who allow children to access the platforms.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
6
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 6/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 6/100,000
Background
Social media should be banned for under-16s to protect mental health, safety, and development. Platforms fuel anxiety, addiction, and low self-esteem, expose children to cyberbullying and exploitation, and harm focus and sleep. Young users can’t fully grasp data privacy or online risks. A ban lets teens mature, build real-world skills, and use social media responsibly later.