Social media ban doesn't curb free speech but PM must act now to protect children from months of avoidable harm

The UK Government has announced a ban on social media platforms for those under the age of 16. In practice, this means that children will no longer be able to spend hours endlessly scrolling through feeds, reels, and algorithmically curated content.Importantly, they will still be able to communicate with friends and family through messaging services such as WhatsApp.The Henry Jackson Society has long advocated for this policy. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Even before the rise of generative AI, it was clear that social media posed serious risks to children. Young people can be contacted by strangers without meaningful oversight while being continuously exposed to disinformation, harmful content and increasingly addictive algorithms.Predictably, some critics will argue that this policy represents a restriction on free speech. It does not. A child being contacted by a stranger online without safeguards is not free speech. A victim having AI-generated deepfakes created and shared about them is not free speech. And when algorithms systematically create a distorted version of reality and repeatedly expose young and vulnerable minds to manipulative, misleading or false content, that too is far removed from any meaningful understanding of free speech. Protecting children online and defending free speech are not contradictory objectives.The real-world consequences of these online environments are already visible. Social media has become far more than a means of communication. LATEST DEVELOPMENTSThe Iran deal isn't perfect but PM's abdication left UK-US relationship on life support – Lee CohenSocial media is 'like digital crack cocaine' but hasty reactions put kids in danger – Nigel Nelson'The British taxpayer is not an unquestioning cash cow'For many young people, it increasingly shapes how they understand the world, form opinions and spend their time. Reports of children spending up to nine hours over a weekend on these platforms are alarming. Even more worrying is the reaction from some young people, who argue that without social media their only alternative is staring at a wall. If that is how children view their free time, we have a much deeper problem on our hands.The arrival of AI has made these concerns even more urgent.Children are now victims of, or exposed to, AI-generated deepfake pornography designed to exploit and humiliate. While the Government has rightly moved to criminalise the creation and sharing of non-consensual deepfakes, the broader reality remains unchanged: social media companies have failed to create environments that are safe for children. If social media alone justified stronger action, the emergence of AI only strengthens the case.However, two things will be crucial as the policy is implemented. First, the timeline should be accelerated. Waiting until next spring simply means months of avoidable harm. If the Government has concluded that this is the right policy, there is little justification for delay.Second, enforcement must be taken seriously. Australia’s experience demonstrates that legislation is not enough. Some children will inevitably attempt to circumvent the restrictions, but that is not an argument against the policy itself. The Government must therefore ensure robust enforcement mechanisms are in place while also investing in alternatives that encourage young people to reconnect with the real world.This is a good decision, but its implementation will shape its legacy. It is encouraging that the Government has committed to keeping the policy under review and adapting where necessary. The challenge now is to ensure that these protections are delivered quickly, enforced properly and strengthened where required. If that happens, this policy could become one of the most important steps taken to protect children in the digital age.Dr Helena Ivanov is an associate researcher at the Henry Jackson Society and a specialist in propaganda, disinformation and harmful online narratives. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter