Growing Up in a Digital World

A teenager can spend an entire evening speaking to friends without leaving their bedroom. That is normal now. So is the worry that comes with it: late nights, unwanted contact, pressure to look a certain way and the feeling that everyone else is having a better time.

The UK Government plans to stop social media companies offering certain services to under-16s from spring 2027. The restrictions are not yet in force. Ministers say the change is needed because some platforms have been designed to keep children scrolling, even when the experience is not good for them.

There is evidence behind that concern. Ofcom's 2026 research found that 35% of children who had encountered harmful content said they had seen it while scrolling a personalised feed. Yet its research also found that 81% of children aged 8 to 17 said they felt safe on social media and messaging services at least most of the time. Both findings matter.

The problem with a simple yes or no

It is tempting to see the argument as a choice between protecting children and letting them use their phones. Real life is less tidy. Online spaces can expose children to bullying and harmful material. They can also be where a young person keeps in touch with a friend, learns a skill or finds people with similar interests.

A ban could reduce some risks. It would not automatically make young people less lonely or give them somewhere to go after school. For that, communities need clubs, activities, safe places and adults who have time to listen.

There are also questions about enforcement. If children use age checks, different apps or ways around restrictions, will the policy work as intended? And will children who depend on online communities still have somewhere to turn?

The next stage of this debate should involve children themselves, not just parents, politicians and technology companies. Protecting young people online matters. So does making the world outside their screens worth being part of.