21 January 2026
The Back Youth Alliance agrees that more needs to be done to keep young people safe online and welcomes that Government is proactively engaging with young people to understand their experiences. It is important to open up this complex conversation through genuine consultation where young people’s voices must be at the heart of any action taken. We will work closely with Government to ensure that any decision reflects their views.
There are a range of proposals being discussed to improve online safety, and it is important that these are carefully considered. There is a clear need for further analysis and evidence-gathering to understand whether measures such as age-based bans on social media usage would meaningfully improve young people’s lives, and to fully assess their potential impacts – both positive and negative.
It remains to be seen whether a blanket ban for under-16s from using social media would make platforms any safer. There is a risk this approach could place an additional burden on young people rather than address the responsibility of technology companies to make their platforms safer by design. It could also have unintended negative consequences of pushing young people towards less known and more unregulated online platforms.
There are also wider implications that should be considered. An age-based ban could create a cliff edge for young people turning 16, who may suddenly be exposed to potentially harmful content without the gradual support, guidance, or media literacy needed to navigate these spaces safely. It may also risk infringing on young people’s rights to connect with friends and family, learn about the world around them, and seek support online. These potential impacts highlight the need for caution and for decisions to be grounded in robust evidence.
We are keen to collaborate with Government to ensure that young people have meaningful opportunities to contribute to the consultation and that decisions are grounded in what they tell us. Youth workers also have a crucial role to play in supporting young people to navigate digital spaces safely and confidently. Alongside appropriate regulation and stronger accountability for platforms to strengthen safeguarding and protection for young people, investment through the National Youth Strategy and Dormant Assets funding should continue to strengthen youth work, enrichment opportunities, and safe spaces that provide positive alternatives to time spent online.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Girlguiding UK
National Youth Agency
OnSide
The King’s Trust
Scouts UK
UK Youth
Youth Hostel Association
YMCA
Youth United Foundation