Overview
- NASUWT formally urged the Government to introduce a statutory ban requiring platforms to block under-16s from social media accounts.
- The union cites a 2025 survey of 5,800 teachers in which 81% reported rising violent and abusive behaviour and 59% linked deterioration to social media; 89% of a smaller poll backed a legal ban.
- Ofsted’s chief warned late last year that social media is eroding children’s attention spans and encouraging disrespectful behaviour.
- A Government spokesperson pointed to the Online Safety Act and widespread restrictions on phones during the school day, without committing to a statutory age ban.
- Australia’s under-16 restriction took effect in December and is referenced as a model, though reports there note teens finding workarounds despite potential large fines for noncompliant platforms.