From Scotland’s young people: letter to the Prime Minister on the social media ban for under 16s

Date: 7th September 2026
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

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Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) and 152 young people have written to the Prime Minister asking the UK Government to reconsider plans for a social media ban for under-16s.

In the letter, while they supported the need for safer online spaces, young people are concerned that a blanket ban could push young people towards riskier ways of accessing social media. Their research found that 81% of young people believed a ban could have this effect.

The young people are calling for greater involvement in decisions about the policy and want the UK Government to carry out a children’s rights impact assessment before introducing the proposed regulations. They are also concerned about the impact of a ban on young people’s access to information, participation and opportunities to have their voices heard.

The MSYPs are calling for investment in digital literacy, youth work and political participation and have invited the Prime Minister to meet with young people in Scotland to discuss how safer online spaces can be developed.

Read Scotland’s young people letter to the Prime Minister