Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to ban social media access for under-16s if her party gains power. The announcement comes as teachers' unions warn that platforms are fueling a classroom behavior crisis and damaging children's mental health.
Badenoch told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that social media platforms profit from children's «anxiety» and «distraction». She described the platforms as «designed to be addictive» and argued for removing a «critical mass» of children from them.
«What we want to see is common sense – protection for children and freedom for adults», Badenoch said. She connected the proposed ban to broader Conservative policies including school phone restrictions and employment initiatives.
The Conservative leader warned that the internet is a «wild west» and children should not be on social media. «Even from my own usage of social media, I can see how it's designed to keep you on there again and again and again», she said.
Teachers demand urgent action
The teachers' union NASUWT has called for an urgent statutory ban, citing alarming survey results. A 2025 poll of 5,800 teacher members found that 81 per cent reported increased violent and abusive pupil behavior, with 59 per cent linking this deterioration directly to social media.
A separate NASUWT survey of 300 members showed 89 per cent support a statutory ban for under-16s.
NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said: «Teachers are dealing every day with the fallout of a social media landscape not originally designed and not suitable for children.» He added that «social media companies have shown time and again that they will not act responsibly unless they are forced to do so».
Cross-party support emerges
Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham expressed agreement with Badenoch's position. Writing on X after the BBC interview, he said: «I find myself agreeing with a lot of what Kemi Badenoch is saying about children and social media. It seems to me parents would welcome a cross-party consensus around much bolder action.»
The development follows Australia's implementation of a social media ban for under-16s in December. Schools watchdog Ofsted raised concerns at the end of last year about social media «chipping away» at children's attention spans and behavior.
Government defends current approach
A government spokesperson defended existing measures, noting that most schools already restrict phone use during the school day. The spokesperson said: «Through the Online Safety Act, we have taken some of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences online, mandating that social media companies protect under-18s from harmful content.»
«We are striking the right balance: protecting children from harm while ensuring they can benefit safely from the digital world», the spokesperson added.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
