As the government announces a social media ban for under 16s, Amanda Borrill catches up with Laura Clifton, active supporter of Histon & Impington’s ‘Smartphone Free Childhood’ campaign to explore thoughts on the news and the changes it might bring for families locally.
This week, the UK government announced a social media ban for under 16s. The first set of regulations will be laid out before the end of the year with changes implemented in Spring 2027. Alongside this, certain harmful features on other online services like livestreaming and strangers contacting children will be restricted for under 18s.
Locally, there has been an increasing interest in the impact on our young people of smartphone use – with our village Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) campaign group hosting their second event in February this year; seeing over 50 parents, carers and residents come together at Brook Primary School to share concerns and take in the opportunity to hear from experts at the heart of this growing issue.
‘Fighting an uphill battle’
H&I resident Laura Clifton has been involved with driving change locally since 2024 when the newly established WhatsApp group supporting the UK wide movement challenging the norm of children owning smartphones first began to take pace. I asked Laura what this week’s announcement means for the group. “As a group, we welcome the government’s decision to introduce stronger protections for children online. For many years, parents have felt like they’re fighting an uphill battle, trying to manage platforms that are designed to keep young people engaged for as long as possible.
“Our local events have reflected what an increasing body of research is telling us”, she adds, “and we’ve heard countless parents share concerns about the impact social media is having on their children’s sleep, self-confidence, concentration and overall wellbeing. This announcement feels like an acknowledgement that protecting children online shouldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of individual families. Parents need support, and technology companies need to take greater responsibility for the environments they create”.
One size might not fit all
As with any blanket ban, its introduction will bring challenges. And, for some, reservations.
One local parent, who wishes to remain unnamed, told me: “As a parent of a child in the older age bracket of this ban, I have mixed feelings about it. I think the principle is broadly correct but feel that a staggered approach would be better. Young people in the age 14-16 bracket have grown up with social media and grown dependent on it for social links. Taking it away will be difficult for them. The very fact that it is acknowledged to be addictive means its sudden removal will be problematic – to say the least. I would be more in favour of stronger safeguards, making the tech companies do the heavy lifting”.
Our SFC group admits, too, it holds its own reservations. “While we broadly support the direction of travel, we do have some reservations”, shares Laura.
“Firstly, we recognise that social media is not entirely negative. Many young people use online platforms to stay in touch with friends, pursue hobbies, find communities and express themselves creatively. We wouldn’t want to lose sight of those benefits. Our message has never been that social media is inherently bad, but rather that it is often being introduced at an age when children are not yet equipped to deal with the pressures and complexities that come with it. We are all for encouraging simpler methods of communication, such as brick phones or face to face meet-ups.
“Secondly, much will depend on exactly which services are covered and how the rules are applied”, she continues. “Parents will understandably be confused if some platforms are restricted while others with very similar features remain available. Clear guidance will be essential”.
The group remains mindful that some young people, particularly those who may feel isolated or struggle to find their place offline, can benefit from online communities. “The challenge is finding a balance that reduces exposure to harmful content and addictive design features without cutting off opportunities for safe connection”, says Laura.
Ultimately, for our SFC campaigners, their message has never been about banning technology. “It’s about giving children (and their brains) more time to develop before placing a powerful and often overwhelming digital world in their pocket”, explains Laura. “As a group, we are huge fans of finding creative ways to support our children as they pursue hobbies offline”.
Peer pressure
Laura is optimistic this ban will assist families in setting boundaries. The fear of children being left out socially is incredibly powerful, and many parents feel pushed into decisions before they are ready.
“A national approach helps shift the conversation away from individual families feeling they have to go it alone. It sends a message that delaying access to social media is a reasonable and responsible choice, not an extreme one”.
And, she adds, “for primary school parents especially, it may make it easier to delay smartphone ownership altogether, or to choose simpler devices that allow children to stay in touch without unrestricted access to the internet and social media. Most importantly, it could help reduce some of the peer pressure that currently drives children onto these platforms long before they are emotionally ready to navigate them”.
Accountability matters
Of course, those determined enough will always find ways around restrictions. Anyone who has spent time with teenagers knows they are often far more technologically adept than the adults trying to set the rules and this is one reason why our local SFC group doesn’t believe a ban alone is enough.
“Technology companies need to be held accountable for the way their platforms are designed”, says Laura. “Much of the concern isn’t simply about whether children can access social media, but about features specifically designed to maximise engagement and keep users coming back. Infinite scrolling, algorithmic recommendations, streaks and autoplay all encourage children to spend more time online than they intended”.
SFC would like to see stronger expectations placed on platform providers to put children’s wellbeing at the centre of product design, rather than treating it as an afterthought and feel strongly that, if companies profit from children’s attention, they should take greater responsibility for protecting them from harm. Effective regulation, meaningful age assurance, greater transparency from technology companies and continued support for parents all working together, they say, is vital.
Navigating safely in a digital world
Regardless of legislation, today’s children are growing up in a digital world and need the skills to navigate it safely and confidently. SFC wants to continue bringing parents, schools and young people together to have open, honest conversations about healthy technology use.
at the February SFC campaign group meeting. Photo Laura Clifton
“One thing we’ve learned through our events”, explains Laura, “is that many parents feel they are figuring this out as they go along. By sharing experiences and supporting one another, we can help families feel more confident about setting boundaries and having constructive conversations at home”.
It is clear our schools have a vital role to play moving forward and, as Laura tells me, we are fortunate locally in that our village schools have been actively engaging and supporting families as they navigate this challenge together. “Many already do excellent work through PSHE and online safety programmes”, she says, “but there is always room to build on that through consistent, age-appropriate education across all year groups.
“Most importantly, this change is all part of what we hope will be a much bigger journey – transforming the way young people grow and develop in the real world. Children need opportunities to develop real-world confidence, resilience and critical thinking skills so that when they do enter the online world, they are better equipped to make informed choices and navigate it safely”.
Get involved
If you would like to be part of the conversation, or gather advice to help you navigate the changes ahead, here are some simple next steps:
- Watch the Smartphone Free Childhood explainer video that captures the essence of the issue: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/resource/the-smartphone-dilemma
- Sign the Parent Pact: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/parent-pact
- Join the local community network: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/find-your-community
- Join in the conversation on the H&I Smartphone Free Childhood Whatsapp chat
