A proposed ban on social media use for children under 16 in the United Kingdom has received strong support from parents, but young people who would be directly affected by the policy have expressed a range of views, from backing tighter controls to opposing a complete restriction.

A group of 10 children aged between 12 and 16 discussed the issue this week, reflecting differing opinions on how authorities should address concerns around online safety, addictive features and harmful content. Their views came as the government considered measures aimed at improving children’s online protection, including possible age limits for high-risk platforms and restrictions on certain features.

The debate has focused not only on whether younger users should be prevented from accessing major social media platforms but also on whether companies should be required to change how their services operate. Possible measures under consideration include limiting autoplay videos, reducing infinite scrolling features, introducing stronger parental controls and restricting personalised algorithms.

Precisa, a 13-year-old who uses TikTok and Instagram, said social media was important for her small roll-on deodorant business because she relies on the platforms for promotion. She also uses Snapchat mainly for messaging and communication.A complete ban, she said, would create difficulties for young people who use social media for constructive purposes, including entrepreneurship and community activities.

She argued that stronger monitoring of harmful content and limits on usage would be more effective than removing access entirely.Precisa, who is also deputy youth mayor of the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, said social media platforms help promote youth council activities and allow young people to engage with wider audiences.

Other teenagers expressed similar concerns about a blanket ban. Zoe, 14, said she mainly uses Snapchat and has limited access to other platforms because of restrictions set by her parents. She said she did not support a ban, arguing that parental controls could provide protection while allowing young people to develop digital skills.

However, Zoe raised concerns about personalised algorithms, saying she was uncomfortable with platforms delivering content specifically selected for individual users. The government consultation has examined possible restrictions on such systems because of concerns about their impact on young users.

YouTube emerged as a major part of the discussion among younger participants. Several 12-year-olds said they regularly use the platform to watch music, sports and educational content. While YouTube has an age limit of 13, younger children can access it through supervised accounts designed to provide age-appropriate viewing.

Some participants said they would miss the platform if access were restricted. Sophia, 12, said she uses YouTube for music and art videos and would lose access to content she enjoys. Milei, also 12, said a ban would be difficult to accept and called for a less extreme approach.Accurisa, 12, said she enjoyed watching football-related creators and supported restrictions on unsafe material rather than removing all access.

She added that if she had to wait until age 16 to use certain apps, she would likely join them later because more of her older friends would already be there.Kit, 12, took a different position and supported a stricter approach similar to Australia’s restrictions on some social media platforms for younger users. He said social media could become addictive and affect friendships and mental health.

His brother Xander, 14, disagreed with a full ban, saying social media can have educational benefits. He argued that parents should play a larger role in managing children’s online activity and warned that sudden restrictions could face resistance from young users.Some participants supported limiting access rather than banning platforms altogether.

Blair, 12, said children should be allowed to use many apps but that some services were too dangerous for younger users.The government has been examining whether restrictions should focus specifically on platforms considered harmful while allowing safer services to remain available under stricter rules. Another issue being considered is whether banning certain platforms could expose teenagers to unsafe content elsewhere when they eventually gain full access.

Lekso, 16, who uses Snapchat and Instagram, said time limits could be an effective starting point. He said social media was not only about entertainment but also communication with friends and communities.

Andrew, 13, also supported limits on usage. He suggested restricting access during school days because of academic responsibilities and allowing limited use during weekends. He said social media could easily become distracting and difficult to stop using.Parents have largely supported stronger restrictions.

A survey cited in the debate found that nine in 10 UK parents support banning social media access for children under 16. However, the teenagers consulted showed that young users are not united on the issue.

Nino Dvalidze, a parent involved in organising the discussion and founder of Young Minds App, said the focus should be on helping children use technology safely rather than creating fear around digital tools.The discussion reflects a wider challenge for policymakers: balancing protection from online risks with young people’s access to communication, learning and creativity.

While many teenagers acknowledge problems linked to social media, their responses suggest that approaches involving supervision, limits and platform changes may be viewed differently from a complete ban.As one participant noted, decisions about online rules will have a direct impact on young people, even though they are often made by adults.

Lawmakers in Turkiye have begun debating a draft law that would restrict access to major social media platforms for children under the age of 15, reflecting a broader global push to regulate digital exposure among minors.

The proposed legislation would require platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to prevent users below the age threshold from opening accounts. Companies would also be mandated to implement age-verification systems and provide parental control tools designed to regulate children’s online activity.

The bill forms part of a wider legislative package currently under consideration in parliament, though officials have not indicated how long deliberations are expected to continue. If adopted, the law would place new compliance obligations on both social media platforms and online gaming companies operating in the country.

The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has framed the proposal as a measure to address risks associated with children’s online engagement, including exposure to harmful content and threats to privacy. Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, the minister for family and social services, has said the initiative prioritizes safeguarding minors from digital risks.

Under the draft, platforms would be required to respond swiftly to content deemed harmful and ensure that systems are in place to limit underage access. Online gaming companies would also need to appoint local representatives in Turkiye to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. Enforcement mechanisms could include fines and reductions in internet bandwidth imposed by the national communications authority on companies that fail to comply.

The proposal has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, particularly the Republican People’s Party, who argue that restrictions alone are insufficient and advocate for policies grounded in children’s rights and digital education. Critics have also pointed to the broader context of internet governance in Turkiye, where authorities have previously imposed restrictions on online communication during periods of political tension.

In 2025, access to online platforms was curtailed during protests linked to the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, highlighting concerns among rights groups about the potential overlap between child protection measures and broader controls on digital expression.

Turkiye’s proposal aligns with a growing international trend toward stricter regulation of minors’ access to social media. In Australia, restrictions introduced in December led to the removal of millions of accounts identified as belonging to users under 16. Similarly, Indonesia has begun enforcing rules banning children under 16 from accessing certain digital platforms associated with risks such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and harmful content.

European countries including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are also considering or implementing measures aimed at limiting children’s exposure to unregulated online environments, reflecting increasing scrutiny of the impact of social media on young users.

The Turkish legislation, if passed, would place the country among a growing group of governments seeking to impose age-based access controls on digital platforms, while also raising questions about enforcement, technological feasibility, and the balance between child protection and digital freedoms