Government Urged to Pause Social Media Ban Plans for Under-16s
London, 22 May 2026– The Consumer Choice Center has urged the UK government not to proceed with proposed social media restrictions for under-16s until the current consultation period has fully concluded, warning that ministers risk pre-empting due process amid mounting political and media pressure.
The warning comes after a rapid series of public interventions this week calling for tighter restrictions on children’s access to social media, including remarks from the National Crime Agency director earlier today, Ofcom comments reported yesterday on platform safety, and coordinated calls from campaign groups on Wednesday.
Mike Salem, UK Country Associate at the Consumer Choice Center, responds:
“This is becoming a rolling narrative of escalating alarm. Each day this week has brought another push for restrictions, and the risk is that policy is being shaped by momentum rather than evidence.”
“You cannot enforce a social media ban without introducing intrusive age verification systems. That means more surveillance, more data collection, and less online privacy for everyone.”
“Protecting children online matters, but blanket bans are ineffective, easily bypassed, and risk undermining digital freedoms in the process,” said Salem.
The Consumer Choice Center is calling for the government to allow the consultation process to conclude before any decisions are taken, and to prioritise parental controls, digital literacy, and targeted enforcement over blanket restrictions.
The organisation will also submit a formal response to the consultation.
A full blog post on the issue is available on the Consumer Choice Center website.