On Thursday 16th April, the Prosperity Institute hosted a debate on whether under-16s should be banned from social media and, if so, how any restrictions could be implemented in practice. The discussion took place against the backdrop of a UK Government consultation exploring stricter controls for under-16s, including the possibility of an outright ban. Options under consideration include stronger age assurance measures, restrictions on addictive design features (such as infinite scrolling), and mandatory night-time curfews.
The debate was between Ben Kingsley (UsForThem) and Dr Sanjiv Nichani OBE (Leicester Children’s Hospital), who were in favour of a ban, and Baroness Fox of Buckley (writer and broadcaster) and Jack Anderton (Daily Mail columnist), who opposed any such measures. The event was chaired by Damien Shannon, Director of Governance at the Prosperity Institute.
The fiery exchanges covered a range of issues, including how parents could be better supported and listened to, and what practical controls might help families navigate the risks associated with social media. The panel also considered the balance between parental responsibility and platform accountability, including whether a ban would unduly restrict young people’s lives and whether tighter controls could pave the way for state-backed digital identification. Medical evidence linking social media use to harm in young people’s mental health was also presented, highlighting the growing exposure of children and teenagers to damaging content.
Overall, the debate was lively and well balanced, with informed arguments made on both sides. Sentiment in the room appeared broadly divided between parents of teenagers—who tended to be more supportive of a ban—and those without children, who were more likely to oppose it.
The full recording of the event is available below.