SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to ban social media platforms from offering services to children under the age of 16, describing it as a “bold and long-overdue step” towards protecting young people’s mental health, wellbeing and safety.
The announcement follows growing concern over the impact of social media on children and teenagers, with evidence linking excessive online activity to cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption and exposure to harmful content.
The IWA (GB) has actively campaigned for stronger protections for children since Australia announced similar measures and has repeatedly called for greater accountability from technology companies.
Research shows that more than 90 per cent of children aged 13 to 15 use social media, while over 80 per cent of those aged 10 to 12 are active on social media platforms. Studies have also found that young people who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience mental health difficulties compared with lighter users.
There is increasing concern about the impact of online bullying and harmful content on young people. Studies suggest that around one in seven children have experienced cyberbullying, while NHS data indicates that approximately one in five children and young people in England have a probable mental health disorder.
The organisation said the tragic death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, whose exposure to self-harm and suicide-related content became the subject of national attention, highlighted the urgent need for stronger online safeguards.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), Immigration Expert and Community Campaigner, said:
“Children are our future, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they grow up in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. For many years, the Indian Workers Association (GB) has raised concerns about the harmful impact of excessive social media use on young people’s mental health, wellbeing and development.
“The evidence is clear. We are seeing growing levels of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, sleep problems and exposure to harmful online content affecting young people across our communities. While social media can provide benefits in communication and education, no benefit can outweigh our responsibility to protect children from serious harm.”
“We therefore warmly welcome the Government’s decision to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s and the wider package of online safety measures. This is a courageous and necessary step that places the wellbeing of children ahead of the commercial interests of technology companies.”
The Government’s decision follows a national consultation which attracted more than 116,000 responses. Nine out of ten parents supported a social media ban for under-16s, while around two-thirds of young people backed restrictions on at least some social media platforms.
The IWA (GB) also welcomed additional measures announced by the Government, including restrictions on livestreaming by under-16s, preventing strangers from contacting children online, stronger safeguards against harmful AI chatbot interactions and enhanced protections on gaming platforms.
Although the ban is not expected to come into force until Spring 2027, significant preparatory work will begin this year. The Government is expected to publish detailed proposals in July 2026, followed by the development of regulations by Ofcom and Parliament. Social media companies will be required to introduce robust age-verification systems and prevent underage access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X.
The Indian Workers Association (GB) said legislation alone would not solve every challenge facing young people online and called on parents, schools, community organisations, technology companies and government to work together to promote digital awareness, online safety and positive mental health.
The organisation concluded that the Government’s decision marks an important milestone in creating a safer digital environment and ensuring that the wellbeing of children takes precedence over corporate profit.
Sital Singh Gill
General Secretary
Indian Workers Association (Great Britain)
Immigration Expert and Community Campaigner
16 June 2026
