‘I can’t stop using it’ – under-16s have their say on possible social media ban

Isaac, a 13-year-old boy, is passionate about football clips, superheroes, and gaming. TikTok offers a constant stream of content across all three interests. “If I’m being completely honest, I watch around four hours daily,” he shares. Weekends might see even more screen time, as he admits, “When I have nothing else to do, that’s all I do.” But even at his tender age, he’s encountered videos that make him feel sad, angry, or anxious. If he were prime minister, he’d ensure children like him aren’t exposed to such content.

Debate at Bolton Lads & Girls Club

Isaac was among 33 students from the north-west of England, aged 12-18, who joined a BBC News discussion on social media restrictions. They gathered at the Bolton Lads & Girls Club on Wednesday afternoon to share their views on whether under-16s in the UK should face limits or a complete ban on social platforms.

“The problem is you can encounter more than you’re ready for,” says Iga, 14. “You’ll see content you might not want to, which can affect your mental state.” She notes that while society is more open about discussing issues, younger children might mimic the language and behaviors they see online, risking harm.

Earlier on Wednesday, MPs in Westminster voted against a social media ban for under-16s for the third time. The UK government is now conducting a public consultation to explore better ways to protect children from harmful content, such as violence, misogyny, suicide, and eating disorders.

Consultation on Features and Restrictions

The consultation will include input from academics studying Australia’s ban, which restricts under-16s from creating or deactivating accounts on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Iga believes a similar approach in the UK would work, but she doesn’t think an outright ban is ideal. “When you reach year 10 and 11 (ages 14-16), you’re so focused on studying that you don’t spend as much time on it,” she argues. She uses social media for three hours daily, mostly watching fashion and pop culture videos, though this time increases on weekends.

Australia implemented the ban six months ago, and a survey by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 61% of 12-15-year-olds who used social media before the rule still have access to at least one account. The UK’s consultation will also consider measures like disabling autoplay and infinite scrolling, which some argue contribute to addictive behavior.

“I think [stopping autoplay] would help because it would give you a minute to think rather than just going straight in and watching the video,” says Maisie, 14. She supports banning short-form videos entirely, claiming they “shorten children’s attention spans.” In her view, long-form content on platforms like YouTube is more educational and less harmful.

The government has also pledged to enforce a statutory ban on phones in schools. While some, like Maisie, advocate for limiting features to reduce screen time, others remain cautious about complete restrictions, emphasizing the need for balanced approaches to address both risks and benefits of social media use.