Education unions have broadly welcomed the shift.
The UK government has launched a consultation on banning social media for under-16s, as part of wider plans aimed at protecting young people’s wellbeing across digital spaces.
Ministers say the proposals form part of a broader package designed to address growing concerns about children’s safety, mental health, and online exposure to harmful content.
The consultation will also give England’s education inspectorate, Ofsted, new powers to check school policies on mobile phone use once the measures are introduced.
The government expects schools to be phone-free by default, with stricter guidance encouraging reduced device use throughout the school day.
The move follows Australia’s introduction of the world’s first social media ban for young people, which came into force in December 2025 and sparked international interest.
Several countries, including the UK, are now considering whether similar restrictions could work within their own legal and education systems.
While some experts and children’s charities have raised concerns, the idea has gained strong political backing across Parliament.
On Sunday, more than 60 Labour MPs wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging support for a ban.
The letter was also backed by Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, who called on the government to take action.
Former school standards minister Catherine McKinnell, who signed the letter, told BBC News parents felt unprepared for the rapid changes driven by social media.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5Live Breakfast, she said children could remain connected online without being overwhelmed by algorithm-driven content designed to generate profit.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons on Tuesday that a swift three-month consultation would be launched on further measures to keep children safe online.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the consultation would seek views from parents, young people, and civil society groups.
It will also explore whether stronger age checks could be enforced, alongside limiting features that encourage compulsive social media use.
Ofsted will issue tougher guidance on phone use in schools, including advising staff not to use personal devices in front of pupils.
Kendall said the Online Safety Act was never intended to be the final step, acknowledging parents still have serious concerns.
She added that the government was determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives rather than harms them.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would introduce a ban for under-16s if it were in power.
She criticised Labour’s consultation as an unnecessary delay and accused the prime minister of copying a recent Conservative announcement.
Education unions have broadly welcomed the shift, with the National Education Union calling it a positive step.
The NSPCC, Childnet, and the Molly Rose Foundation were among 42 organisations arguing that a ban would be the wrong solution.
They warned blanket bans could create a false sense of safety and push risks elsewhere online.
The groups said well-intentioned bans would fail to deliver the urgent improvements children’s safety and wellbeing require.
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