Under the proposals, younger users could face restrictions on popular platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X.
New measures being considered include limits on scrolling time, overnight curfews, the blocking of livestreaming features and preventing communication with strangers. These safeguards would be enabled by default for under-16s and under-17s.
Incidentally this could be a prime example of the law of unintended consequences as the BBC is considering taking all its television output from terrestrial broadcasting and using online only transmissions, thus children under 16 would, in effect, be banned from watching broadcast TV programming including children's television.
It might also mean that children would be banned from joining family group chats on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.
While many parents may welcome stronger protections, the DSM Foundation, a charity that has spent years researching how young people encounter illegal drugs online, believes a blanket ban is not the answer.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder of the charity, argues that the real issue lies not with young people themselves but with the technology platforms that have failed to create genuinely safe online environments.
The DSM Foundation's concerns are backed by significant research. A University College London study published in 2025 found that 60 per cent of young people aged 13 to 18 had encountered drug-related content online. Social media platforms were identified as the primary source, with TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram mentioned most frequently.
Perhaps more concerning was the finding that almost a third of respondents had seen advertisements for illegal drugs appear in their social media feeds, often without actively searching for such content. This highlights the growing role algorithms can play in exposing young users to harmful material.
For technology companies, the findings raise difficult questions about content moderation, recommendation systems and corporate responsibility. Despite the introduction of the Online Safety Act, critics argue that harmful and illegal content remains far too accessible.
The DSM Foundation's position is clear: technology companies should be required to make their platforms safer rather than governments relying on broad restrictions that may also limit access to the positive aspects of online communities. For many young people, particularly those who are isolated or vulnerable, social media can provide valuable support networks, educational resources and opportunities for connection.
The challenge facing policymakers is therefore not simply whether young people should be allowed on social media, but whether the technology industry can finally deliver the level of safety that users, parents and regulators have been demanding for years.
As this debate continues, one thing is certain: the future of online safety will depend as much on responsible technology design as it does on legislation.
