Teens Speak Out: Should Social Media Be Off-Limits for Under-16s?

Social media is a big part of many young people's lives in England. Isaac, who is 13, enjoys watching football clips, superhero videos, and gaming content on TikTok. He admits to spending about four hours a day on social media, and even more during weekends. Sometimes, he comes across videos that make him feel sad, angry, or worried. Isaac wishes that children like him would not see such upsetting content. He was one of 33 students, aged 12 to 18, who joined a BBC News debate at the Bolton Lads & Girls Club to discuss whether social media should be banned for under-16s in the UK.

Iga, who is 14, has seen videos where people talk openly about their mental health struggles. She thinks it is important to talk about these issues, but she worries that younger children might copy what they see online, which could be harmful. Iga spends about three hours a day on social media, mostly watching videos about fashion and pop culture. She believes that banning social media for children under 13 would be better than banning it for under-16s, because older students are usually more focused on their studies and spend less time online.

The UK government is currently asking the public for their opinions on how to protect children from harmful online content. Some people think there should be a ban on social media for under-16s, while others suggest less strict rules, like turning off autoplay or limiting endless scrolling. Maisie, another 14-year-old, supports turning off these features because she thinks they make social media addictive and distract people from healthier hobbies. Peace, who is 15, believes that age checks should be stronger to stop young children from joining social media, but she does not want a total ban. She enjoys following her role models online and finds inspiration from their achievements. The government will make a decision after the consultation. Isaac hopes there will not be a complete ban, but he knows he can always find other things to do, like playing football, if there is.