Overview
- The government opened a consultation on options that include a blanket ban, curfews or app time caps, raising the digital age of consent, and curbs on features such as streaks and infinite scroll.
- Ministers said Ofsted will immediately check schools’ mobile phone policies on every inspection, with guidance for parents of 5 to 16-year-olds to be published and under‑fives guidance due in April.
- Keir Starmer said no options are off the table and confirmed the UK will study Australia’s model, with a formal response to the consultation planned for the summer.
- Political pressure has intensified as 61 Labour MPs urged a ban and peers tabled a Lords amendment requiring highly effective age-assurance to keep under‑16s off regulated services, with a vote expected this week.
- More than 40 charities, experts and some bereaved parents warned a blanket ban could have unintended harms, while Australia’s rollout has drawn industry pushback including a Reddit legal challenge.