UK union urges social media ban for under-16s to protect learning

Sunday 11 January 2026 - 12:40

By: Sahili Aya

UK union urges social media ban for under-16s to protect learning

The UK teaching union NASUWT has called on the government to ban social media use for under-16s, citing concerns over concentration, mental health, and classroom behaviour. The union argues that unregulated access to social media contributes to poorer behaviour at schools, anxiety, and exposure to violent or sexually explicit content.

NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack stated, “Teachers face the daily consequences of a social media landscape not designed for children. Platforms will not act responsibly unless forced to do so.” He urged the government to implement a statutory ban to safeguard children’s mental health and improve classroom engagement.

The call follows similar measures in Australia, where a social media ban for under-16s came into effect in December 2025. NASUWT surveyed 5,800 teachers in 2025, finding that 81% reported increases in violent or abusive behaviour among students, while 59% identified social media as a contributing factor. A separate poll found that 89% of teachers would support a statutory ban for under-16s.

Schools watchdog Ofsted has also raised concerns that social media is shortening attention spans and promoting disrespectful behaviour among pupils. NASUWT emphasizes that children deserve an environment where they can learn, develop, and form healthy relationships without being drawn into an online world that profits from their vulnerability.

A government spokesperson highlighted current measures, noting that most schools already restrict phone use during the school day and that the Online Safety Act requires social media companies to protect under-18s from harmful content. “We are striking the right balance: protecting children while allowing them to benefit safely from the digital world,” the spokesperson said.