Young Scots Urge Prime Minister to Rethink Under-16 Social Media Ban

More than 150 youth organizations and young people in Scotland have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to reconsider plans for an UK-wide ban on social media for individuals under 16.

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) led the group, warning that a total ban could push young people toward less regulated online spaces. The SYP stated that if the UK Government proceeds with the measure, young people must have a meaningful role in its implementation. The group supports measures to enhance online safety but argues that ministers have not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that an outright ban would achieve its intended goals.

Research by the SYP found that 81% of young people believe the proposals would encourage under-16s to find riskier ways to access social media. Campaigners are also questioning the extent of youth involvement in the policy-making process. The letter was signed by organizations including the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Children in Scotland, Together (Scotland), and Forces Children Scotland.

The SYP hopes a Children's Rights impact assessment will be conducted before the ban is implemented to better understand its effects on young people in Scotland, following Holyrood's incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law in 2024. Adebayo Shehu Tijani, a Nigerian Mass Communication student and film editor, shared his personal experience of discovering opportunities online before turning 16, which he believes helped shape him into a young advocate. He is now part of TikTok’s Global Youth Council, contributing to discussions on making the platform safer for younger users.