In January 2026, the NASUWT, one of the UK’s largest teaching unions, formally urged the government to implement a statutory ban on social media for children under 16.
The proposal has sparked a major national debate, drawing comparisons to Australia’s recent enforcement of a similar age limit and putting pressure on the Labour government to reconsider its current “guidance-only” approach.
Why are teachers calling for a ban?
The union’s General Secretary, Matt Wrack, argued that the “wild west” of social media is fueling a crisis in schools. Key concerns cited by the NASUWT include:
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Deteriorating Behaviour: A survey of over 5,800 members found that 81% of teachers reported an increase in violent or abusive pupil behaviour, with many blaming social media as a primary driver.
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Mental Health Crisis: Teachers report surging levels of anxiety, depression, and self-harm linked to addictive algorithms and “perfect life” comparisons.
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Harmful Content: Specific concerns were raised regarding children’s exposure to sexually explicit material and violent content, including recent controversies involving AI tools.
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Classroom Disengagement: Watchdog Ofsted has supported these concerns, noting that social media is “chipping away” at children’s attention spans and ability to focus on lessons.
Political and Public Response
The union’s call has shifted the political landscape, leading to a split in how leaders are responding:
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Conservative Party: Leader Kemi Badenoch announced that the Conservatives would back a ban if they were in power, stating that platforms are “designed to be addictive” and profit from children’s anxiety.
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Labour Government: Currently, the government is resisting a “blanket ban.” They insist the Online Safety Act provides enough protection by mandating that tech firms keep under-18s away from harmful content. However, figures like Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have signaled support for the union’s stance.
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NSPCC & Tech Experts: Some children’s charities have cautioned that a “blunt” ban might push children onto darker, less regulated parts of the internet, suggesting that better regulation of existing platforms is a more effective path.