Written question asked by Caroline Dinenage (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 September 2026. It was answered by Ian Murray (Labour) on Friday, 18 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Social Media: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what metrics her Department will use to measure the success of the social media ban for children under 16.

Answer: Government will be monitoring the impact of the ban closely and conduct a full review three to five years after implementation, allowing time for the expected cultural change and long-term impacts on mental and physical health to emerge. The review will consider a range of metrics including regular reporting from children and parents on online experiences and the impact on children’s physical and mental health. Government has committed to reviewing the mobile phones in schools guidance and making any necessary revisions by September 2027.

Secondary information