UK parents support an under-16 social media ban – but what do their children think?

<p>These young people recognise dangers of ‘addictive’ social media but have differing views on a total crackdown</p><p>Nine in 10 parents in the UK support an under-16 social media ban, but the feeling among the children it would affect is more mixed. Or at least it is for a group of 10 preteens and teenagers who talked to the Guardian at a location in west London this week.</p><p>The 12- to 16-year-olds were well versed in the debate, with a set of views ranging from mandatory time limits to tougher controls and a full ban for under-16s. All those options have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/05/how-uk-may-restrict-social-media-under-16s-time-limits-curfews-ban">under consideration</a> in a government consultation on children’s online safety that is due to deliver an outcome next week, with an under-16 age limit expected for “high-risk” platforms, and restrictions on features such as livestreaming for others.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/13/parents-teenagers-children-under-16-social-media-ban-tiktok-instagram">Continue reading...</a>

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