Under-16s Warn of Digital 'Addiction' as Government Considers Social Media Age Limits

The government is currently considering stringent new limits on social media access for children under 16, including potential bans that would restrict platforms to older teenagers. In a consultation exercise, thirty-three children from diverse backgrounds discussed these proposed measures, offering unfiltered perspectives on how such restrictions might affect their daily lives and wellbeing. Participants expressed conflicting sentiments about their relationship with social media, with many acknowledging compulsive usage patterns—summarised by one child's remark, "I can't stop using it"—whilst simultaneously emphasising the platforms' importance for maintaining friendships and accessing support networks. Their feedback reveals the tension between protecting children from online harms and preserving the digital spaces where contemporary youth culture and socialisation increasingly occur. The consultation findings present significant implications for local authorities and cabinet members responsible for children's services, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches to digital safeguarding that balance regulatory protection with educational strategies. As national policy develops, these firsthand accounts underscore the importance of centring young people's voices in debates that will fundamentally shape their access to digital communities and support services.