Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Charlotte Pennington, Lecturer in Psychology, Aston University

EXPLAINED: Before bans for under 16s we need to ask what counts as social media | Vintage Vibes

KlingSup/Shutterstock

Amid growing concerns about teenagers’ mental health and wellbeing, governments around the world are considering or enacting new restrictions on young people’s access to social media.

Australia has already legislated a ban on social media for under-16s, and the UK government has announced plans to introduce similar restrictions from spring 2027.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.