More Than 100,000 Petition UK MPs to Ban Social Media Use for Under-16s

More than 100,000 people have signed a public petition urging Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom to introduce a legal ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, triggering a formal parliamentary review of the issue.

The petition calls on the government to restrict access to major social media platforms for minors, citing growing concerns over mental health, online safety, cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. Reaching the 100,000-signature threshold means the proposal must now be considered for debate in the UK Parliament.

Supporters of the campaign argue that existing age limits set by social media companies are poorly enforced and ineffective. They say stronger legal safeguards are needed to protect children from online harms, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and inappropriate or dangerous material. Campaigners also point to international examples where stricter digital protections for children are being explored or implemented.

The petition has gained momentum amid wider public concern about the impact of digital platforms on young people, particularly following studies linking excessive social media use to declining mental wellbeing among teenagers. Parents, educators, and child-safety advocates have increasingly called for tougher regulation and clearer accountability for technology companies.

The UK government has acknowledged the petition and reiterated its commitment to child online safety through existing legislation, including measures under the Online Safety framework. Ministers have stated that social media companies already have a legal responsibility to prevent children from accessing harmful content and that enforcement powers are being strengthened.

However, the government has so far stopped short of endorsing an outright ban for under-16s, emphasizing the challenges of enforcement, age verification, and balancing child protection with digital access and freedom of expression. Technology firms have also raised concerns about the practicality of a blanket ban, arguing that education, parental controls, and platform-level safeguards may be more effective.

The issue is now expected to be discussed by MPs, reflecting growing political pressure to reassess how children interact with social media and whether current regulations go far enough to protect young users in an increasingly digital society.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, The Guardian, UK Parliament Petitions Committee