Action for Children welcomes social media restrictions for under-16s

This is a significant step that reflects the urgency of the risks children face and shows how serious those harms have become.

For the children we support, social media is not a simple issue. It can expose them to serious risks such as abuse, exploitation and harmful content.

Yet, we also hear it can be a way to stay connected, especially for those who are isolated, caring for family members, living with disabilities or growing up in care.

By taking action to restrict access, this announcement moves us closer to making the online world safer, rather than placing the burden of managing harm on children and families alone.

However, restricting access on its own will not be enough.

We must see stronger protections across the whole digital environment - including effective age checks, tackling addictive design features, and ensuring children only see content that is appropriate for their age and development.

Alongside stronger protections, parent and carers need practical support to help children navigate social media, digital relationships and emerging technologies like AI safely and confidently.

Crucially, children don’t all face the same risks. Those growing up with additional vulnerabilities are often most exposed to harm online, and their experiences must shape the solutions.

This moment is a turning point for holding tech companies to account and building a safer online world that works for all children.