In a world increasingly dominated by social media and AI-driven technologies, there are growing concerns about the impact on young people’s development and well-being. As the government consults on whether to ban social media for under-16s, experts argue that the scope must be broadened to address the wider challenges posed by the digital landscape.
Dr Madeline G Reinecke, from the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society (Neurosec) team at the University of Oxford, contends that the investigation should also consider young people’s access to generative AI. While issues like addictive feeds and age limits on social media platforms are crucial, she says, “the digital world of 2026 includes far more than Instagram and TikTok.”
AI-based chatbots are increasingly present in young people’s lives across various domains, from education to companionship. This raises urgent questions about the appropriate age for access to AI simulating friendship or intimacy, and the necessary safeguards to protect young minds from manipulation and dependency.
Alexandra Cocksworth, a deputy head at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire, believes that a social media ban for under-16s is the “bare minimum” the government should pursue. She argues that politicians, parents, and educators must help children find and maintain “real, deep connections in an analogue world.” This doesn’t mean locking away all technology, she says, but rather regulating access to addictive and dangerous platforms during the critical stage of adolescent neuroplasticity and vulnerability.
The need for action is clear, as Ali Oliver, the CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, warns that the situation will continue to deteriorate if the current trajectory persists. In a decade’s time, half of children could be using screens for entertainment purposes alone for at least three hours a day. The time for change is now, as the government and stakeholders must work together to reimagine childhood in the digital age.
