Government must stand up to big tech or under 16s social media ban is coming, warns NSPCC CEO

• NSPCC CEO insists tech companies are failing children so badly that if Government does not take action, a social media ban would be better than the status quo.
• This comes as the charity lays down three key actions Government must take to force tech companies to keep young people safe on social media and beyond.
• These actions, which go further than a ban, include making sure under 13s are not on social media, stopping platforms from using design tricks which keep teens addicted, and blocking harmful content at the source.

Today, the NSPCC are setting out three actions for Government to make the online world safer for young people, going much further than a social media ban.

The charity is adamant that the status quo, where children are left using online spaces that expose them to addictive and harmful content, can’t continue.

Last year, Childline delivered over 3,300 counselling sessions about online-related issues – including grooming, sexual extortion, exposure to dangerous and disturbing material, inappropriate AI chatbots, and bullying.

With the Government about to launch a public consultation and an increasing number of politicians and campaigners calling for a ban on social media access for under 16s, the charity is setting out a practical alternative that would deliver real, long‑term protection, not just a temporary fix.

The three actions Government must take to end the status quo and protect children online include:

1) Force tech companies to keep under 13s off social media, immediately protecting 2.5 million children today*. Apps for teenagers must give them experiences suitable for their age.

2) Stop tech companies from designing their platforms to keep teens addicted – and feeling out of control.

3) Unleash the full force of the law to make social media platforms, devices and AI tools safe for children, compelling tech companies to use technology that can stop the creation, sharing and viewing of illegal images.

Chris Sherwood, CEO at the NSPCC said: “Tech companies continue to design social media products that knowingly put children and young people in harm’s way. Enforcing their existing age restrictions would protect 2.5 million children today, without the need for any new legislation. Yet they continue to profit while families are left to pick up the pieces.

“That’s why the Government must act now, to stand up to big tech and force companies to keep children safe online. Our three bold actions, which go further than a ban, go straight to the root of the problems too many children and families face.

“We want the Government to commit to tackling these three big issues during the consultation – and then move quickly to put solutions into practice, so millions of children and young people feel the benefits in their daily lives.

“Failure would leave us stuck in the status quo, and at that point, a social media ban would be better than nothing. The Government has a chance to be more ambitious for the safety of our children and must grasp the opportunity with both hands”.