Social media is a two-sided coin. It can pose real risks to mental health, while also helping many people feel more connected and less isolated. As discussions continue about banning social media for under 16s, we believe it is important to take a balanced, evidence-based approach that supports children and young people’s mental health, recognises the realities families face, and places responsibility where it belongs.
Many parents and carers are worried about the impact social media can have on children and young people’s mental health. Trying to keep children safe online can feel overwhelming, particularly when harmful content, constant comparison with others, and pressure to stay online are hard to avoid. These concerns are understandable, and families should not feel they have to manage these challenges alone.
Social media is now part of everyday life for many families, and decisions about access, boundaries, and safety are rarely straightforward.
Any discussion about banning social media for under 16s needs to reflect the realities families face and the complexity of children and young people’s online lives.
Why this conversation is complex
There is evidence that social media can negatively affect mental health, especially when children and young people are exposed to distressing or harmful content. At the same time, research shows that online spaces can provide connection, support, and a sense of belonging, particularly for those who may feel isolated or excluded elsewhere.
The relationship between social media and mental health is not simple, and both risks and benefits need to be recognised.
Where responsibility should sit
It is clear that social media platforms themselves could do far more to reduce harm. Many platforms are designed to keep people online for as long as possible, using features such as infinite feeds and recommendation algorithms that can increase exposure to harmful content.
Changes to platform design could make a meaningful difference to children and young people’s experiences and help them build healthier relationships with online spaces.
We know that more needs to be done to ensure online spaces are safer for children and young people. The Online Safety Act is an important step, but it must now be enforced, carefully monitored and strengthened where needed.
Families should not feel blamed or expected to manage these challenges without support. Platforms and regulators must take greater responsibility for reducing harm. This approach reflects Mental Health UK’s starting principles for the responsible use of technology in mental health and wellbeing. These principles are clear: technology should support wellbeing, safety must be built in from the start, and responsibility should not fall on the users of technology alone.
It is not yet clear how effective a ban on social media would be in protecting children and young people from harm. As countries including Australia introduce new approaches, we have an opportunity to learn from what happens in practice and understand what genuinely works.
This also means considering possible unintended consequences, such as young people losing access to communities and support they may not find elsewhere. The same applies to measures such as banning mobile phones in schools. We need to keep building evidence about which approaches best support young people’s wellbeing.
Social media is also not the only factor affecting children and young people’s mental health. Poverty, long waits for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and limited support in communities all play a significant role.
Supporting children and young people to thrive means addressing these pressures together, rather than focusing on one issue in isolation.
We believe children and young people’s mental health is best protected through safer online environments, responsible technology design, clear and proportionate regulation, listening to young people, and properly funded services and community support.
Decisions about social media should be guided by evidence and care, with a focus on what will genuinely help children and young people to thrive both online and offline.
What this means in practice
- We recognise how challenging it can be to keep children safe online, and that there are no simple answers.
- Social media platforms should do more to reduce harm through safer design and stronger protections.
- There is not yet clear evidence that a blanket ban would be the most effective way to protect children’s mental health.
- Decisions should be guided by evidence, by listening to young people, and by investing in wider support for families and communities.
– Charlotte Baldwin, Head of Mental Heath UK’s Young People’s ProgrammesWhy safer design and better support matter
Reducing harm online cannot rely on bans alone. Young people need support and guidance to build healthy and safe relationships with social media, so they can use it safely both now and as they grow older. Without this, young people risk reaching adulthood unprepared for the challenges of online life.
Schools are already under pressure, so responsibility cannot fall on education alone. Social media companies and regulators should invest more in education and prevention, helping young people understand online risks and develop safer habits. Similar approaches in other sectors show how industry-backed education and support can make a real difference.
It is also important to recognise that a blanket ban could have unintended consequences, especially for more vulnerable young people. Some rely on online spaces to find connection and communities they cannot access locally. For example, young people exploring their gender identity or those who feel isolated in their local area may find vital support online, while some neurodivergent young people find it easier to build friendships in digital spaces.
Protecting mental health means reducing harm while ensuring young people who benefit from online connection are not left without support.
Support for parents and carers
Small conversations and practical steps at home can make a difference, and support is available if you need it.
If you’re worried about your child’s social media use or online safety, you can find practical advice and support here:
NSPCC: Helping children stay safe on social media and online – Practical tips on social media safety, privacy settings, age ratings and how to have open conversations about online life. Internet Matters: Social media guide for parents and carers – A dedicated guide developed with UK Safer Internet Centre and charities, offering practical advice on managing children’s social media use.
