U16 Social Media ban: new Gov consultation + MPs to hear from experts for/against, watch online Wed 11 March from 9.30am

[JoBrodie]

11 March 2026 - Social media age restrictions - Oral evidence
Should social media be banned for children under 16?
Wednesday 11th March, 9.30am - will likely end ~11.15am
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26768/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (a select committee drawn from the House of Commons) will meet next week in Room 8 in the Palace of Westminster to hear evidence from various experts for and against social media bans for under 16s as well as hearing from people with experience of the newly adopted ban in Australia.

You can attend in person, there's limited space, audience does not participate, or watch online.

"In the first panel (9.30am), the cross-party committee will hear from Health Professionals for Online Safety and Parentkind, exploring evidence in favour of a ban. Questions may investigate views and experiences of parents and children and what a potential ban could achieve that other measures would not.

MPs will then hear (10.15am) from experts who argue against a ban, exploring possible negative consequences and the implications of introducing more age verification requirements. They could also discuss alternatives to the ban, proposals to raising the age of digital consent and whether a ban could conflict with rights of children.

Australia’s social media ban for under 16's came into force in December 2025. In the third panel (10.45am), the committee will hear from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner and academics about Australia’s experience of the ban so far and how it will be evaluated."

Consultation
The Government has just launched (2 March) a consultation called Growing up in the online world: a national consultation on this topic and there are three surveys:

• Full consultation for anyone (civil society, industry and members of the public)
• Survey for parents and carers of young people aged 21 and under
• Survey for children and young people (aged 10 to 21)

Mumsnet HQ also has a 'write to your MP to support a ban on social media for under 16s' https://www.mumsnet.com/news/social-media-ban-under-16s

(I'm personally not currently in favour of banning but also aware that this doesn't directly affect me as I'm not under 16 and don't have children).

Jo

Thank you for this. Interesting. I have to say I was shocked at some parental attitudes on another thread to the monitoring and supervision of phones for children.
People claiming that checking your child's phone is "snooping" and an "invasion of privacy". One woman claiming that her daughter is lovely and she "trusts her". No need to check!
These are very pressing issues, but there's still some wilful ignorance by some parents.

I have very serious doubts about the efficacy of a ban and am by no means convinced it is a good idea. The Australians' comments should be interesting.