Social media ban for under 16s: What now for your comms?  

The government’s announcement to ban social media for under-16s marks a historic shift in online community engagement. Driven by grassroots campaigns, the initiative shares a core non-profit goal: a safer digital space.

However, public response shows a deep division. While everyone agrees children’s safety is paramount, consensus breaks down on how to achieve it. Amnesty International UK CEO Kerry Moscogiuri summarised this as the “right diagnosis, wrong prescription”.

Behind the scenes, the ripple effects will hit charities hard, raising questions like: 

• How will we engage the next generation of campaigners?
• How do we reach vulnerable youth with vital support and digital forums?
• How should digital professionals adapt as audience behaviours shift?

Despite the suddenness of the announcement, charities are already looking ahead. This blog covers crucial updates, sector reactions and community insights. Bookmark this page, as we will update it alongside developments.

Sector responses: What are others saying and doing? 

Debate has quickly split with several themes emerging. Sector action includes response statements, policy asks and developing their youth-led advisory panels. Digital information specialist Madeleine Sugden told us that “it’s rare to see a government announcement prompting such a widespread response”. 

1. Prioritising youth voice 

Madeleine has been compiling responses since the news broke and noted that “responses which stood out were the ones which included the voices of young people”. 

Organisations point out that a sweeping ban without deep consultation risks alienating young people or deepening generational distrust.  

Questions around their democratic agency are also rising. The #iWill Movement (part of Volunteering Matters) and the National Youth Agency (NYA) are exploring how to ensure youth voices remain central. Charities are quickly activating young supporters and youth advisory panels to understand how young people will navigate this transition. 

2. Calling for Big Tech accountability 

Many experts believe a blanket ban misses the root cause of online harm. Social media moderation expert Rebecca Fitzgerald, founder of Strawberry Social, points out that platforms should be “safe from the outset, rather than scrambling to fix problems after harm has already been done.” She stresses that problematic design features do not “happen by accident.” 

Instead of a ban, Rebecca hopes to see “a genuine shift in accountability.” Many in the sector are calling for “Safety by Design“, forcing tech companies to build user wellbeing directly into their algorithms. 

There are also concerns about unintended consequences. Children may bypass restrictions to use unmoderated networks, similar to what happened when Australia’s under-16 ban took effect in 2025. The Children’s Society and others worry about the impact on digital literacy, and fear children might be too scared to report serious online incidents if they have bypassed the rules. 

3. Using the news as a political lever or comms moment  

Many charities are focusing on the “how” rather than the “what”, calling on the government to reinvest in physical spaces and digital youth work impacted by a decade of budget cuts.

If young people lose online communities, charities argue we have a moral obligation to ensure they aren’t left with a social void.  

Organisations beyond the youth-focused sector are also reflecting on the longer-term impact for their audiences and using this to highlight their challenges. For example, LGBTQ+ rights organisations note that while a ban could reduce cyberbullying, it risks stripping away vital online lifelines for marginalised youth who lack local support. 

4. Shifting focus in digital engagement strategies 

The restrictions will alter how charities engage. Luan Wise, a social media consultant, describes this as “another layer to an already shifting environment” that will change “how younger audiences discover content and access information.” In the short term, charities can expect “shifts in reach and engagement patterns, alongside changes in how platforms shape visibility.” 

In the long term, charities will need to move from algorithm-driven apps being their default channels to reach young people. Many organisations are considering pivots to content strategies toward parents, teachers, and carers to filter information to younger audiences. Others are maximising owned digital channels, like email lists, messaging apps, and websites to channel youth engagement here. 

Caitlin Lock, Social Media Manager at children’s charity Coram, cautions that we need to “ensure that youth participation in social media isn’t lost”. Caitlin shared that Coram’s approach will “reposition social media content for distribution across our extensive owned networks, while developing strategic collaborations to fill any gaps in reach.” 

Speaking to Civil Society Press, Caitlin added that they are placing more emphasis on family engagement, communities, and schools, while exploring adaptations to search, streaming, gaming, and creator-led content. 

As Luan points out: “For charities, this change is a reminder of the importance of regularly reviewing your approach, staying agile, and keeping a close eye on how the detail emerges.” 

5. Protecting staff wellbeing  

With massive regulatory changes, frontline social media managers and moderators face intense online debates and an unplanned spike in the workload. 

You may also face differing opinions internally. It is vital to bring staff on the journey and balance reactivity with the right tone. Ensure your social media policy clearly distinguishes between personal and organisational views in external forums. 

As I recently wrote for Third Sector, strategy should provide relief, not add to our burden. Communications teams must be valued, consulted, and supported by leadership through this transition.  

Lastly, because moderation of divisive topics causes strain on teams, ensure you have the right guardrails in place. 

Conclusion 

The upcoming under-16 ban represents a historic change in digital engagement. Whatever happens, organisations must adapt. While the policy debate continues, charities must stand firm on their values and recommendations while stress-testing their toolkits.  

Social media is a borrowed space, but an important one. Charities need a rich channel mix that empowers the real-life influencers in young people’s lives—like parents and educators—to navigate this transition. Yet, they should not lose sight of connecting directly with young people. 

Ultimately, our roles as support systems, amplifiers of experience, and changemakers remain unchanged. It’s just how we do it that will look a little different.