Should children be banned from social media? The Government wants you to help decide

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People on mobile phones

Should there be a minimum age to access social media? Should children be banned all together? The Government is asking the public to help decide.

In case you missed it earlier last month, the Government announced a social media crackdown in a bid to keep children safe amid rapid technology changes – with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying he was looking to take ‘immediate action’ to make the online world safer for young people.

The new measures announced included a crackdown on ‘vile’ illegal content created by AI, as well as ‘fast action’ to shut a legal loophole and force all AI chatbot providers to abide by illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law.

It was also hinted at that setting a minimum age limit for social media – which Australia famously became the first country to do so last year – could be on the cards, and also the restricting of other harmful features like infinite scrolling.

The Prime Minister insisted that ‘no platform gets a free pass’.

ADVERTISEMENT

And now, it’s your turn – parents, guardians, and young people across the UK are being urged to shape the country’s next steps on children’s digital wellbeing, as the Government has today (2 March 2026) opened what is said to be the the world’s most ambitious consultation on social media.

The consultation will aim to gather insights from the public on how to keep children safe online across social media, AI chatbots, and gaming platforms.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Millions of parents across the country worry about what social media is doing to their children’s sleep, concentration, and mental health,” the Government said in a announcing the launch of the consultation.

Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s, however, others – including leading children’s charities like UNICEF – have warned that a blanket ban could drive children towards ‘less regulated’ corners of the internet, or leave teenagers unprepared for when they do come online.

The Government has launched a consultation on banning social media for children / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)

This is why the Government says its consultation ‘looks beyond a ban’ and instead covers a full range of options – from curfews, to the impact of chatbots and gaming.

It also asks the questions about how any new rules would work in practice, in a bid to make sure they are effective.

On the social media side of things, three main questions are being posed in the consultaion:

  • Should there be a minimum age for social media, and if so, what age would be right?
  • Should platforms be required to switch off addictive features that keep children hooked late into the night – like infinite scrolling and autoplay?
  • And whether mandatory overnight curfews would help children sleep better, and what age they should apply to?

Speaking on the launch of the consultation today, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Technology is fundamentally changing childhood. Used well, it can open up new opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, but only if we get the balance right.

“That is why we want to hear directly from parents, teachers and young people about how we strike that balance and give children the very best childhood in a digital age.”

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall added: “We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.

Read more:

“This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.”

The consultation is now live, and you can have your say here.

Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)

The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester

Last night, the BRIT Awards came to Manchester for the first time ever, bringing some of the world’s biggest music names to our city.

And, in true Saturday-night-in-Manchester style, there were more than a few mad moments over at the Co-op Live.

This year’s BRIT Awards saw Olivia Dean go home the most-decorated performer of the night, scooping Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, and Pop Act, among others.

There were also performances from Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Raye, Olivia Dean and Rosalia – with plenty of surprises along the way.

And on a night that was heavily censored on TV, here are 10 moments you might have missed from the BRIT Awards 2026.

Bez and Shaun being Bez and Shaun

It just wouldn’t be a big Manchester event without Happy Mondays icons Bez and Shaun Ryder picking up a microphone – even if no one knows exactly what will happen next.

With Bez sporting a bright red outfit that was halfway between a tomato and a bell boy, they made it pretty neatly through their presenting section, handing Wolf Alice the Best British Group Award (though Bez did keep interrupting Shaun’s speech to shout ‘MANCHESTER’).

But then host Jack Whitehall made the mistake of sitting at the table with them, and Paddington Bear, with the ensuing chaos breaking Jack’s professional facade for the first time of the night… you can see the rest for yourself above.

The Hacienda raver in with the BRIT School kids

The Manchester jokes came thick and fast at the BRIT Awards, but a particularly odd moment occurred when Jack Whitehall headed into the pit with the BRIT School students.

He said: “This year, because we’re in Manchester, we wanted to mix it up a bit – by throwing in some proper old-school ravers with the BRIT School kids.

“Yeaaah! There he is, the big man keeping the spirit of the Hacienda alive.

“Don’t look concerned kids, he’s actually the same age as you, he’s just from Preston.”

The ‘stage invasion’ during Sombr’s performance

Halfway through Sombr’s set at the BRIT Awards, there was a moment where chaos broke out – stage invader wrestled off stage by security, set collapsing around him, sparks flying.

And for a brief moment, the audience panicked that the star was in real trouble.

But no. Just a stunt. Not a very good one. Sombr is alive and well.

Angry Ginge and Luke Littler on the same stage as Rosé

In a night that poked non-stop fun at the North, it was refreshing to have an actual Manc have a moment in the spotlight – and our unlikely hero of the night was none other than social media star and King of the Jungle Angry Ginge.

He hopped up on stage with Luke Littler – yes, him off the darts – to present the International Song of the Year award, which went to Blackpink star Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit APT.

There was just something about seeing one of the world’s biggest pop stars sandwiched between two such utterly British characters that felt a bit crazy.

Rosalía’s Liam Gallagher impression

As well as delivering one of the stand-out performances of the night, BRIT Award-winner Rosalía also delivered one of our favourite moments.

While chatting with Jack Whitehall about her multilingual album Lux, he asked her if she spoke any Manc.

ADVERTISEMENT

To which she turned straight to the camera, addressed Liam Gallagher directly, and dropped a ‘Sunsheeeiiiiiine’. Amazing woman.

Surprise Dua Lipa

The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards
The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards

During Mark Ronson’s medley of hits, as part of his Outstanding Contribution to Music award, he pulled out plenty of surprises.

There was Ghostface Killa popping up out of a car parked on stage, a beautiful tribute to Amy Winehouse featuring her original vocals with a live band – and then the glitterball started lowering from the ceiling, with Dua Lipa herself perched on top of it.

It was an especially fun moment for those in the audience at the Co-op Live, who saw the star had been hiding up in the rafters since the last ad break for her moment in the spotlight.

The table of politicians, including Andy Burnham

In amongst all the music heavyweights and pop culture darlings in the Co-op Live, sat in arguably the best seats in the house, was none other than a gaggle of local politicians.

ADVERTISEMENT

Andy Burnham, Bev Craig, and Lisa Nandy all sat right beside the stage, with Jack Whitehall joining them for a brief roast.

He said: “Oh my god it’s Andy Burnham! Legend! The only party he’s allowed in to these days.”

Jack added: “And Lisa Nandy! This must be the politician’s table, I wonder who else is here,” before making a joke about Peter Mandelson that was quickly censored on ITV… more on that later.

Surprise Bjork

The first surprise of the night was a big one – none other than Björk.

The seminal Icelandic star made a very rare live appearance with Rosalia during her blistering performance of Berghain.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s already being dubbed the ‘best performance at the BRITs ever’.

James Blunt nonchalantly playing piano with Alex Warren

There was another special guest on stage with this year’s BRIT Award performers, but this one came with remarkably less fanfare than Dua Lipa and Bjork.

Yep, the pianist performing behind Alex Warren was James Blunt, complete with velvet smoking jacket.

The camera barely even zoomed in on him throughout the performance, and in the Co-op Live it was mostly a chorus of people saying ‘… is that James Blunt…?’

The stuff you didn’t hear on TV…

The main difference between being in the room at the BRIT Awards in Manchester and watching it on telly at home is the lack of censoring happening in the venue itself.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans watching at home were baffled at what jokes they were missing out on as ITV slammed the *white noise* button at every swear and political joke. So here are some of the bits you might have missed.

Addressing the table of politicians, Jack Whitehall said: “I wonder who else is here? I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list – no, sorry, that was another list.” 

On stage, Angry Ginge said: “It is an absolute privilege to see the BRITs in Manchester, because it shows people are realising London’s a sh*thole.”

Geese’s Max Bassin’s acceptance speech was also censored, with him opening with: “Free Palestine, f*ck ICE.”

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More

Gigs & Nightlife

Manchester hosted The BRIT Awards 2026 and proved why it’s the best city on earth

Audio

BRITs 2026 – A (completely subjective) ranking of all the performances from worst to best

Noel Gallagher's BRIT Awards acceptance speech in full after on-air censorship

Audio

Noel Gallagher’s BRIT Awards acceptance speech in full after on-air censorship

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches