A social media ban for those under 16 in the UK could come into effect.
The government is launching a wide-ranging consultation on children鈥檚 online safety and wellbeing, as ministers weigh new measures to limit the impact of mobile phones and social media on young people.聽
The proposals come as the UK looks closely at international approaches, including Australia鈥檚 landmark ban on social media for under-16s, which came into force in December.
Under the Australian rules, platforms such as Meta, TikTok and YouTube are required to take 鈥渞easonable steps鈥� to prevent young teenagers holding accounts, with potential fines of up to A$49.5 million (拢24.6m) for non-compliance.聽
The policy is already facing legal challenge, with Reddit filing a case in Australia鈥檚 High Court arguing the ban unlawfully interferes with implied constitutional protections and that Reddit should be exempt under the law鈥檚 definition of social media.
The review will look at options including raising the digital age of consent, introducing 鈥減hone curfews鈥�, restricting potentially addictive features such as infinite scrolling and 鈥渟treaks鈥�, as well as assessing whether a social media ban for children could be effective.
However, a decision to fully remove under-16s鈥� ability to use social media could be met with backlash.
Alongside the consultation, the government said it will take immediate action in schools by tightening guidance to make them 鈥減hone-free by default鈥�.聽
Ofsted will be instructed to check schools鈥� mobile phone policies during every inspection, with a focus on how well bans are enforced during lessons, break times and lunch.聽
The move comes amid concerns that children are spending too much time on devices.聽
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Ministers pointed to survey data suggesting that while most schools have policies in place, phones remain a frequent distraction, with a majority of secondary pupils reporting that mobiles are used without permission during lessons.
As part of the package, the government will also issue updated screen time guidance for parents of children aged five to 16, adding to guidance for under-fives due in April.聽
A nationwide series of events will gather views from parents, young people and civil society, with the government expected to respond to the consultation in the summer.
鈥淭hrough the Online Safety Act, this government has already taken clear, concrete steps to deliver a safer online world for our children and young people,鈥� said Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall.
鈥淭hese laws were never meant to be the end point, and we know parents still have serious concerns. That is why I am prepared to take further action.
鈥淭echnology has huge potential – to create jobs, transform public services, and improve lives. But we will only seize on that potential if people know they and their children are safe online.
鈥淲e are determined to ensure technology enriches children鈥檚 lives, not harms them – and to give every child the childhood they deserve.鈥�
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, added: 鈥淲e have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our鈥痵chools but now we鈥檙e going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.
鈥淥ur Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will support schools that are struggling to effectively implement phone bans so all our children can learn in phone-free environments.
鈥淭his comes alongside our world-leading curriculum reforms which will ensure children build the media and digital literacy skills needed to thrive at work and throughout life.鈥�