Children online

Children, smartphones, social media and online pornography.

Young people stand round a small table, each absorbed in their own smartphone

Photo: Tomwsulcer / CC0

Children online Petition against under-16 social media ban heads for Westminster Hall debate

More than 217,000 people signed. MPs debate it on Monday 2 November, but ministers have already decided: a ban for under-16s is due to start in spring 2027.

24 Oct 2026