SWGfL has launched a new national survey to capture the views of professionals working directly with children and young people across the UK on their views surrounding social media.
The survey aims to provide an evidence-informed perspective on one of the most debated proposals within the online safety space right now: whether children under 16 should be banned from holding social media accounts.
Hearing From Schools Directly
The question of restricting social media access for young people is complex. While concerns around mental health, exposure to harmful content and online risks are well documented, there is ongoing debate about whether a blanket ban would be effective, or whether it could introduce unintended consequences.
We believe that the voices of professionals working on the frontline (teachers, safeguarding leads, social workers, healthcare professionals) are essential in shaping this discussion.
This survey has been designed to:
- Capture real-world experiences of those supporting children and young people
- Understand levels of support or opposition towards a potential ban
- Explore perceived benefits, risks and unintended consequences of a ban
- Identify alternative approaches that may better support children’s wellbeing and safety
The Reality Behind the Headlines
Rather than focusing solely on opinion, the survey takes a deeper dive into professional insight and lived experience. Participants are asked to reflect on:
- How often social media-related issues impact the children they work with
- The level of concern there is around issues such as cyberbullying, harmful content, mental health, and emerging technologies like AI
- Whether a ban would realistically improve outcomes such as safety, wellbeing, education and behaviour
Crucially, the survey also examines the practical challenges of enforcement, including whether children may find ways around restrictions, move to unregulated or less safe platforms or use accounts secretly or via adults or older peers.
Informing Policy and Practice
The findings from this survey will help build a clearer picture of how professionals view the proposed direction and what they believe will best support children and young people. We will use this information to inform our input towards the upcoming social media consultation from the UK Government.
Take The Survey
We are inviting professionals from across education, safeguarding, health, youth work, law enforcement and the third sector to take part. The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymised.
By contributing, participants will play a vital role in shaping the future conversation around children’s use of social media in the UK, ensuring that any decisions are informed, balanced and centred on the needs of young people.
