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MNN UK · January 11, 2026 · 1 min read

Pressure mounts for social media ban on under-16s in UK

What happened: Labour's Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has backed Conservative calls to ban social media use for under-16s, urging protections for young people. The government currently has no plans for a full ban but is monitoring efforts to restrict account creation by children on major platforms.

Why it matters:

  • Could lead to new regulations limiting social media access for children under 16.
  • Affects young users, parents, social media companies, and policymakers concerned with child safety online.

MNN Take: The debate reflects growing concern about the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing. While a full ban is not confirmed, authorities are considering measures to better protect minors from potential harm.

Sources: Guardian UK