Select Committee · Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
Social media age restrictions
Status: Open
Opened: 9 Feb 2026
Inquiry scope
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is holding a one-off evidence session to gauge the strength of the evidence for and against introducing a ban on access to social media platforms for children under 16. Debate has recently intensified around whether social media access for children should be banned in the UK. This followed the Australian Government requiring certain platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under the age of 16 from having an account from 10 December 2025. On 19 January 2026, the UK Government announced a consultation on children’s use of technology , which will seek views on a range of online safety measures including a ban for under 16s. The committee will hear from experts and campaigners on social media and online harms representing both sides of the debate in the UK. It will also hear evidence from Australia on the first few months of the ban in place there.Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Mar 2026 |
Social media age restriction
Dr Kim Sylwander · Digital Futures for Children centre, London School of Economics and Political Science,
Dr Rebecca Foljambe · Health Professionals for Safer Screens and GP Partner,
Frank Young · Parentkind,
Julie Inman Grant · Australia,
Professor Amy Orben · University of Cambridge,
Professor Jeff Hancock · Stanford Social Media Lab, Director, Stanford Cyber Policy Centre and Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication,
Professor Lorna Woods OBE · University of Essex and advisor to the Online Safety Act Network (OSN),
The Baroness Kidron OBE · House of Lords and Founder and Chair of 5Rights
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Kim Sylwander · Research Manager and researcher | Digital Futures for Children centre, London School of Economics and Political Science | 1 |
| Dr Rebecca Foljambe · Founder | Health Professionals for Safer Screens and GP Partner | 1 |
| Frank Young · Chief Executive | Parentkind | 1 |
| Julie Inman Grant · eSafety Commissioner | Australia | 1 |
| Professor Amy Orben | University of Cambridge | 1 |
| Professor Jeff Hancock · Founding Director | Stanford Social Media Lab, Director, Stanford Cyber Policy Centre and Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication | 1 |
| Professor Lorna Woods OBE · Professor Emerita School of Law | University of Essex and advisor to the Online Safety Act Network (OSN) | 1 |
| The Baroness Kidron OBE · Crossbench Peer | House of Lords and Founder and Chair of 5Rights | 1 |
Correspondence
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