MPs in Westminster Hall are debating today (Monday 2 November, 4.30pm) the petition “Do not ban social media for under 16s”. It was signed by 217,682 people. The debate does not end in a vote, but it comes at an important moment: a few days ago Ofcom set out how age checks should work, and the government wants to publish the first regulations before the end of the year.
Where the ban stands
The government announced the planned ban on 15 June 2026. The legal basis is the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (Royal Assent 29 April), which amended the Online Safety Act 2023. This means the details of the ban will be set out in regulations rather than a new act. The regulations still need approval from both Houses of Parliament.
According to law firm DLA Piper, the ban will cover services where users post content and interact with each other – which includes all major social media platforms. Messaging apps, educational services, online shops and music services are to be excluded. Default restrictions on certain features are planned for 16- and 17-year-olds.
On 29 October Ofcom identified four age-check methods it considers “highly effective”: photo ID matching, digital identity services, bank-based checks and facial age estimation. The regulator admits no method is immune to circumvention, for example via VPNs, and plans a report on this within 12 months of the ban starting. According to ISPreview, the government intends to publish the first regulations before the end of 2026, with enforcement starting in spring 2027.
Both sides of the debate
Against the ban: the petitioners say social media is how many young people stay in touch with friends and find a supportive community. Tech and civil society groups warn that overly strict rules will make life harder for adults and could force smaller services to close. Some adults do not want to hand biometric or banking data to age-verification firms.
For the ban: the government argues it is about protecting children and their childhood. In its response to the petition on 4 March it acknowledged that social media helps young people stay connected but pointed to concerns about children’s wellbeing online. Supporters stress that the duty falls on platforms, not on children or parents.
What it means for Polish families and firms in the UK
Our view: the ban will change daily life in Polish households in Britain, but it will not cut children off from family in Poland. The evidence: messaging apps are due to be excluded, so chats with grandparents or cousins through messaging apps should not be blocked. Accounts on the major social media platforms, however, will be.
It also matters who is responsible. The duty sits with the services. Breaches of the Online Safety Act can lead to fines of up to £18m or 10% of worldwide revenue. The act also covers foreign services with links to the UK, for example those with many UK users.
Practical points:
- Parents: expect that adults may also be asked to prove their age – with ID, through their bank or with a face scan. Check who you are giving your data to.
- Polish businesses running forums and groups for the Polish community: if a service lets users post content and contact each other, it may need age checks. The final scope will only be known from the regulations – worth following.
- Nothing applies yet: until Parliament approves the regulations, the ban remains a proposal.
Sources:
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