MP Column: Shaping a safer digital childhood: Have your say in landmark consultation
On Monday, the Government launched a landmark consultation on the digital wellbeing of UK children, tackling issues from social media age restrictions and online curfews to AI chatbots and gaming, marking a pivotal shift in how we approach childhood online.
With the Online Safety Act already in force, many hoped the most pressing challenges had been addressed. Yet parents, young people, and teachers alike tell me they are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving online risks.
I often speak with families anxious about what constant connectivity is doing to their children’s sleep, focus and confidence. They worry about device time, the endless notifications, group chats that never rest, feeds that never end, and algorithms designed to keep young people scrolling. They also worry about children forming attachments to AI chatbots, sharing personal thoughts with systems designed to simulate empathy.
This consultation acknowledges that the concerns are wider than one app or platform. It spans social media, gaming and AI chatbots, recognising that children’s digital lives do not fit into neat categories. It asks whether there should be a minimum age for social media, and what that age should be. It considers switching off addictive design features such as autoplay and infinite scroll. It explores overnight curfews, whether AI chatbots should be freely accessible to children, how age verification could be strengthened, and ways to help families build healthier digital habits.
Some campaigners favour a clear under-sixteen ban on social media, similar to steps taken in Australia. I understand that instinct and have signed a cross-party letter supporting that view. A firm line can feel reassuring.
But I am also listening to the child-protection organisations, including the NSPCC, that are warning that a blanket ban could push teenagers towards less regulated spaces or leave them unprepared for adult digital life. That is why getting this right matters because we need to act in a way that is practical, enforceable and grounded in evidence.
Instead of relying on theory, the government plans to test restrictions such as curfews or screen time limits through real world pilots with families and teenagers. I also welcome the promise of clearer guidance on healthy screen time for five- to sixteen-year-olds. Many parents seek practical tools, honest information, and the confidence to set boundaries without feeling alone.
Technology can open doors to creativity, learning and connection. It can also crowd out sleep, play and face-to-face friendships. The balance has shifted too far, too fast. Legislation struggles to keep pace with tech, and families are left navigating a digital landscape that changes monthly.
This three-month consultation is an opportunity to reset that balance. It is open to parents, carers, young people, teachers, academics and industry. It closes on 26 May 2026, with a government response expected in the summer and new powers to act swiftly on findings.
This is your chance to shape policy. Should there be a social media age ban? Would curfews help? Are AI chatbots a tool or a risk for children? This national conversation will only succeed if people take part. Please share your thoughts and help shape the next chapter of our children’s digital world.
Respond to consultation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation
Parents can find full guidance, conversation starters and safety advice on https://kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk/online-content/