The UK Government has announced a three month consultation period for potential restrictions on social media, AI chatbots, and gaming sites for under-16s.

The consultation will engage with questions around age verification and curfews for social media sites, as well as whether addictive features such as infinite scrolling and auto play should be turned off to help with sleep.

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “Every child deserves a childhood – real experiences, real friendships, real opportunities.

“We are determined to make that a reality, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Several Sheffield schools, like High Storrs and Silverdale, operate no-phone policies, not allowing students to use their phones inside school hours.

High Storrs had previously operated ‘no phone zones’ for Sixth Form students but moved to a complete ban in 2024, after reflecting on advice provided by the Smartphone Free Childhood movement.

Last month, Ruth Fitzell, a representative from the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, presented Sheffield City Council with a petition showing concern with the level of smartphone use amongst teenagers at a children and families policy committee meeting.

Several councillors supported the proposal to form a group to explore the issue.

As part of the Government’s efforts to support parents, a website has been launched offering online safety advice.

One Sheffield resident said: “There is things you’re exposed to that you really shouldn’t be”

However, she added that social media use could become “more secretive and that could pose more risk for them”.

Another said: “I see a lot of people who seem to be trapped in that phone world.”

Last month, Conservative Leader, Kemi Badenoch said that the Conservative Party would support a ban on social media for under-16s.

The consultation period will last until 26 March 2026 and will try to engage with a range of people, including parents, carers, young people, teachers, and academics.

Image Credit: verkeorg, Flickr