Children could be 'isolated' by social media ban

The headteacher of a secondary school has said children could be left isolated by the social media ban for under-16s.

Chris Evans, the headteacher at Reading School in Berkshire, said other activities must be available so children do not resort to "using the dark web" in its place.

The government has announced that millions of children in the UK won't be able to access a range of platforms from next year.

The Department for Education said the £130m Every Child Can programme will fund activities within schools and at weekends and holidays to ensure "enrichment is a common entitlement for all".

Apps including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will become inaccessible for children, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday.

"We hope to pass regulation before Christmas," he said, with the ban coming into force in spring 2027.

However, Evans, who welcomed the ban says the "negative consequences of the ban" are real and warned of unintended consequences.

"If we don't find ways to support young people they will become more isolated and their alternative companions, perhaps on the dark web could be worse," he said.

Evans said: "A ban is only one part of the process - we now need to think about how we invest in youth services so young people can engage positively with one another."

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, and Signal will not be banned, and neither will online gaming platform Roblox.

But certain features will be restricted for under-16s, such as livestreaming and strangers being able to contact children.

YouTube Kids is also exempt from the ban.

The government will also look at restrictions on some functionalities on social media, such as infinite scroll and curfews, for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Intimate and sexual chats with AI will also be banned for under-18s.

Reading School has approximately 1,130 pupils and caters for pupils between the ages of 11 and 18.

Evans said while issues involving social media have never been a widespread problem in the school, he has acknowledged problems in isolated cases: "Every social challenge has been fuelled in the background by discussion or an argument that happened late at night when a phone should have been put away."

He also believes that eventually pupils will welcome the ban.

"I am certain young people need more fulfilling relationships," he said.

"If we get this right and invest in real life relationships, a generation from now these young people will thank us."

Education Secretary Bridget Philpson said as the world continues to move fast for children "investment is about making sure the childhood experiences we truly value can once again be for every young person, wherever they live".