Should the UK follow Australia’s social media ban for under-16s? The public have their say

WorldOpinion
11 Dec 2025 • 2:22 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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Australia implemented a world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 on Wednesday (December 10).

The country’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, hailed the ban as a way for Australian families to “take back power from big tech companies.”

In the UK, ministers have said they will be keeping a “close eye” on Australia’s ban; Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, told BBC Breakfast the government would “certainly consider” a ban “not only if it worked, but if young people believe that it was working and trusted that that was a solution”.

The Independent asked the public whether they think a similar policy should be introduced in the UK.