The Government has confirmed when social media will be prohibited for under-16s, and how children will spend the time currently devoted to those platforms.
Young people “will be given back their childhoods”, ministers declared when the initiative was unveiled earlier this month, with “less time for scrolling and more time for play”.
In an effort to help young people better use their time and engage in more rewarding activities, the government has pledged to “make sure children have access to safe, offline spaces where they can make friends, connect with people who share their interests, and take time to study and grow”.
Central to this is substantial investment, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport launching a £500 million strategy to widen access to enrichment activities including sport, the arts and youth services.
Additionally, the Department for Education has unveiled a £132.5 million enrichment package, featuring fresh guidance to assist schools and colleges in providing a broader range of enjoyable activities beyond the classroom – from sport and creative projects to nature and the arts.
A government document adds: “We also know that a lot of young people feel socially isolated. Last year the Government carried out a ‘State of the Nation’ survey of more than 14,000 young people.
“We’re currently investing over £3 billion in building or refurbishing up to 250 youth centres, school sport, building new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities across the country, and saving more than 1000 arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings from closure.”
The proposed social media ban for under-16s is anticipated to be put before Parliament ahead of Christmas, with the new protections set to take effect in Spring 2027.