UK Conservative leader says platforms are “addictive” and harming children’s mental health
The United Kingdom (UK) Conservative Party has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms if it returns to power, a proposal that has already sparked widespread political and public debate.
The pledge was made by Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who said social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X are designed to be addictive and are contributing to growing mental health challenges among young people.
According to Badenoch, the proposed ban would be enforced through stronger age-verification systems, insisting that current safeguards are inadequate in protecting minors from harmful online content.
“We cannot keep pretending that these platforms are neutral. They are deliberately engineered to keep children hooked,” Badenoch said.
She stressed that the policy is aimed at protecting children’s wellbeing, improving concentration in schools, and reducing exposure to harmful material online
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions across party lines. While some politicians and teaching unions have welcomed the move, others argue that a blanket ban could restrict access to positive online communities, educational resources and mental-health support networks.
The UK government has so far maintained that the Online Safety Act already provides sufficient protection for young users, emphasizing regulation over outright bans.
However, the issue has gained momentum following Australia’s recent implementation of a similar under-16 social media ban, which the Conservatives have cited as a successful model.
The announcement adds to a growing global conversation on how governments should regulate children’s access to social media amid rising concerns over cyberbullying, online addiction, misinformation and mental health.
If implemented, the policy would mark one of the strictest social media regulations in Europe, potentially forcing tech companies to significantly overhaul their age-verification systems.
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