Under-16s could be banned from social media within months Summary The British Government is open to following Australia and banning the under-16s from social media, The i Paper understands. Other Related Coverage Will the UK government act to curb social media and smartphones for children? | ITV News John Nash: The conservative case for an under-16 social media ban | The Spectator John Swinney declines to back social media ban for under-16s | The National UK should ban children from social media because they cannot cope with toxic hate speech, terror watchdog warns | Independent Council encourages schools to ban phones | BBC News