ITIF - The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
06/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/15/2026 09:32
UK Teen Social Media Ban Is an Ineffective Approach, Says ITIF
WASHINGTON-In response to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's announcement of a social media ban for users under 16, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released the following statement from Policy Analyst Alex Ambrose:
The UK ban would cut everyone under 16 off from all social media, including platforms that already provide robust safety tools, parental controls, and age-appropriate design.The ban goes further than other proposals by unnecessarily restricting features such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children. While the goal may be child safety, the result would be sweeping collateral damage to many legitimate features that form the foundation of most social media platforms.In addition, bans require aggressive age-verification systems involving intrusive identity checks, threatening online anonymity and privacy for everyone, not just minors.Instead of following Australia's flawed approach, which has already proved to be largely ineffective, the UK should prioritize smarter design, stronger safety tools, and greater parental controls, not widescale bans that remove technology from young people and choice from families.For more on this issue, see:
- Alex Ambrose and Ash Johnson, "Comments to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Regarding Growing Up in the Online World," ITIF, May 22, 2026.
- Alex Ambrose, "Protecting Children Online in the UK Requires Smarter Tools, Not Blanket Bans," ITIF Innovation Files commentary, January 23, 2026.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, [email protected]
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