Is a social media ban the only way to keep children safe online?

Australia is the first country in the world to introduce a ban on social media for children under 16 years old, after research found that 95 per cent of children aged 10 to 15 used social media.

Social media has become a part of how children connect and learn, but there is growing concern about the impact on their mental health and well-being.

The UK Government is now considering a similar ban and many people are looking at how we can better protect children from the risks of social media.

What is the proposed social media ban?

The proposed restrictions would prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

This will hopefully reduce the amount of harmful content and cyberbullying that children face and put the responsibility on social platforms to keep young users safe.

In the UK, these decisions will be based on the Online Safety Act and could include:

• Stronger age checks when signing up to a platform
• Limits on addictive features such as excessive scrolling
• Clearer requirements for how platforms should protect children
• Guidance for adults on safe social media use for children

How could a ban protect children?

We have seen the pressures that social media can place on children and how they could be exposed to content and behaviour that they are not emotionally ready to manage.

Social media creates a space for online abuse, which can seriously damage children’s mental health and confidence from an early age.

A ban could help reduce these risks by limiting harmful interactions and encouraging children to spend more time focusing on relationships offline.

Can social media still be positive?

Social media is not always a negative influence and can allow children to stay in touch with their friends and find support when it is needed most.

It can also help young people find communities where they feel understood, explore new interests, learn new skills and access educational content away from the classroom.

When social media is used in a safe and healthy way, it can support a child’s social development and help them feel connected to others.

How can we support children on social media?

The proposed ban has sparked conversations about how accessible social media is to children and how to use it safely.

Our team is here to support children and young adults with any issues they are struggling with on social media.

We offer a supportive space where children can talk openly about any online pressures, cyberbullying, feelings of inadequacy and how social media makes them feel.

With a ban still up in the air, we want to help children set clear boundaries and recognise the risks so they continue to use social media for the benefits it can bring.

If you would like to learn more about our children’s care services or have any questions, please get in touch.