Big Tech's little victims campaign welcomes ban on social media for under-16s

Today marks a watershed moment for children’s online safety, as the Prime Minister announced a full ban on social media for anyone under the age of 16. This is one of the most significant interventions in the digital lives of young people to date, signalling clear recognition that voluntary action from technology companies has not gone far enough.

Welcoming the announcement, General Secretary of the National Education Union, Daniel Kebede said,

“This is a turning point in the fight to protect children online. After tireless campaigning and pressure from parents, teachers and health professionals, we’re now seeing meaningful action from the Government. Raising the age of access on social media to 16 is the right call. School staff see every day how social media is harming children – disrupting their learning, isolating them and exposing them to content they are simply not ready for.

“For too long Big Tech companies have designed systems that hook children early, keep them online for as long as possible, and profit from their attention – even when it exposes them to harm. This decision is a necessary step towards stopping that exploitation.

“The test now is whether ministers are willing to keep standing up to Big Tech and enforce this properly. If the Government is serious about putting children first, they must make this real – not allow it to become a promise that the platforms can just ignore.”