The move marks a new phase in Britain's approach to regulating children's digital environments, as policymakers face growing pressure from parents, schools, and lawmakers to curb the ever-expanding influence of social media and smartphones on everyday life.
Backed by a national public discussion, the consultation will gather views from parents, young people, and civil society on how to ensure children develop a healthier relationship with technology, the UK government announced on Monday (January 19). Alongside
the consultation, swift measures were announced to tighten restrictions on mobile phones in schools. Ofsted, the schools watchdog, will be required to check that mobile phone bans are being properly implemented during each inspection, and schools will be expected to become "mobile phone-free by default."
The policy change comes amid mounting evidence that smartphones are still widely used in classrooms despite existing regulations. Official data shows that 58 percent of secondary school pupils report using mobile phones without permission during at least some lessons, rising to 65 percent among older pupils.
The consultation will explore a range of regulatory options, including raising the digital age of consent, improving age verification systems, imposing mobile phone curfews to curb excessive use, and limiting potentially addictive design features such as "endless scrolling" and "streaks."
The UK government will also publish evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5-16, following separate guidance for parents of children under five due in April, which aims to help families manage children's digital device use at home. The updated school guidance will make it clearer that students should not access mobile phones during lessons, break times, or between lessons.
British media reported that the initiative also reflects growing political pressure for stronger action on children's online safety, with MPs from across party lines supporting proposals to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms.
The UK government said it would respond to the consultation over the summer as part of a broader strategy to improve children's well-being in the digital age.
