The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is holding a one-off evidence session to gauge the strength of the evidence for and against introducing a ban on access to social media platforms for children under 16.
Debate has recently intensified around whether social media access for children should be banned in the UK. This followed the Australian Government requiring certain platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under the age of 16 from having an account from 10 December 2025. On 19 January 2026, the UK Government announced a consultation on children’s use of technology, which will seek views on a range of online safety measures including a ban for under 16s.
The committee will hear from experts and campaigners on social media and online harms representing both sides of the debate in the UK. It will also hear evidence from Australia on the first few months of the ban in place there.