TL;DR
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to bar under-16s from major social platforms and floated banning mobile phones in schools as a response to worsening pupil behavior and mental health concerns. The plan cites age verification systems that don't rely on government digital IDs and points to Australia's recent under-16 social media ban as a model, though enforcement questions remain.
What happened
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC the Conservative party wants a firm age limit to prevent under-16s from using social media, arguing platforms are engineered to be addictive and harm children's mental health and classroom conduct. The pledge would require social networks to block access for under-16s, with age checks implemented through verification systems that avoid government digital IDs. Badenoch also proposed banning mobile phones in schools to reduce screen time and improve behavior. The policy mirrors Australia's law that came into effect on December 10, 2025, which compels platforms to remove under-16 accounts and show they are enforcing age checks. Teachers' union NASUWT has called for legal measures to force tech companies to act, while Labour has stopped short of endorsing an outright ban and the government says existing laws such as the Online Safety Act may already provide regulators with sufficient powers. Precise enforcement mechanisms and practical impacts remain unclear.
Why it matters
- A legal ban on under-16s would mark a significant intervention in how tech platforms manage access by minors and could shift industry responsibilities onto platforms.
- Policy aims to address teachers' reports of worsening classroom behavior and links between social media use and child mental health, influencing school and family routines.
- Implementing age checks raises technical and privacy questions, particularly given the claim that systems would not rely on government digital IDs.
- Australia's recent ban introduces a precedent where platforms face fines and must demonstrate enforcement, suggesting possible regulatory levers and penalties.
Key facts
- Kemi Badenoch announced the proposal during an interview on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
- The Conservatives want social networks to prevent under-16s from accessing services such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
- The proposal references age verification methods that would not depend on a government digital identity scheme.
- Badenoch also suggested banning mobile phones in schools to reduce screen time and improve classroom behavior.
- Australia implemented a law on December 10, 2025 that requires platforms to remove under-16 accounts and prove age checks are enforced.
- The NASUWT teachers' union has urged ministers to legislate to force tech firms to block under-16s, citing mental health and behavior concerns.
- Labour has not backed an outright ban, though some individual party members have supported tougher limits on children's social media access.
- The UK government has said existing measures, including the Online Safety Act, give regulators powers and that further steps should be evidence-based.
- Observers note enforcement will be challenging because teens can bypass restrictions and platforms face limits on user monitoring.
What to watch next
- Whether the Conservatives publish legislative details explaining how age verification and enforcement would work (not confirmed in the source).
- How tech platforms would respond to any UK proposal and whether they adopt or resist non-government ID age checks (not confirmed in the source).
- The practical impact and enforcement outcomes of Australia's December 10, 2025 ban, which the source says are still being tested.
- Whether ministers move to amend or supplement the Online Safety Act to provide new powers or penalties (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Age verification: Tech and administrative methods used to confirm a user's age before granting access to online services.
- Online Safety Act: UK law intended to give regulators powers to require online services to protect users from harmful content and behavior.
- NASUWT: A UK teachers' union that represents school staff and has campaigned on pupil behavior and education policy.
- Government digital ID: An official electronic identity system issued or managed by the state to authenticate individuals online.
Reader FAQ
Has a ban for under-16s been enacted in the UK?
No — the Conservatives have pledged a ban, but the proposal is not law and details of implementation are not confirmed in the source.
Is there an international precedent?
Yes — Australia introduced a ban effective December 10, 2025, requiring platforms to remove under-16 accounts and show enforcement.
Would the plan rely on a government digital ID to verify age?
No — the Conservatives suggested using age verification systems that do not depend on government digital IDs.
Are mobile phones already banned in schools under this plan?
Badenoch floated banning phones in schools as part of the approach, but a formal, detailed policy on school phone bans is not confirmed in the source.
PERSONAL TECH Tories vow to boot under-16s off social media and ban phones in schools Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch pitches age limits and classroom curbs as fixes for behavior and…
Sources
- Tories vow to boot under-16s off social media and ban phones in schools
- Tories would ban under-16s from social media
- Kemi Badenoch says Tories would ban under-16s from …
- Australia Banned Social Media for Kids Under 16—Should …
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