The UK government announced plans to consult on a potential ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16. The move, revealed Monday, follows growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people and is influenced by a similar ban that took effect in Australia in December 2025, the first of its kind in the world, according to BBC Technology.

The consultation will examine evidence from around the world to determine the effectiveness of a social media ban and how best to implement it, Al Jazeera reported. The government said it would consider a wide range of proposals.

The decision to consider a ban was spurred by pressure from multiple sources, including more than 60 Labour MPs who wrote to the prime minister about the issue, and the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, who called on the government to take action, BBC Technology reported. Concerns have been raised about protecting vulnerable children and limiting compulsive social media use, according to multiple news sources.

In addition to the potential ban, the government announced "immediate action" to give Ofsted the power to check policies on phone use during school inspections, BBC Technology reported. Schools are expected to be "phone-free by default" as a result of this announcement. The consultation will also explore stricter age verification measures, according to BBC Technology.

The government's response to the consultation is expected in the summer, according to multiple news sources. Other countries are reportedly considering similar laws, BBC Technology noted. While some argue that vulnerable children need access to social media, the government is focused on exploring ways to better protect minors online, Al Jazeera reported.