In today’s world, screens are no longer optional, they are ever-present. From the moment we wake to the moment we fall asleep, technology shapes our routines, simplifying everything from ordering food and managing work to controlling our homes with the tap of a button. Even something as simple as turning on a light no longer requires us to move.
But while the internet makes life more convenient, it also brings new risks. For teenagers, in particular, the online world is not an addition to life, it is life as they have always known it. Social media, messaging apps, and online platforms are woven into their daily existence. Experts warn that this constant connectivity is taking a toll, contributing to rising anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional distress.
Young people themselves acknowledge the impact. A survey by the Royal Society for Public Health, which asked 14- to 24-year-olds about their online experiences, found that platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were linked to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness.
Alongside this come darker influences: misogyny, racism, hate speech, and extremist subcultures that can shape how young minds see themselves and others. For many teenagers, the internet has become a kind of “second parent,” quietly influencing their beliefs, confidence, and identity.
Recognising the scale of this challenge, the government has announced sweeping new measures to strengthen online protections. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged urgent action to tackle emerging threats from social media and artificial intelligence.
Addressing parents and young people, Starmer said ministers would move “at pace” to safeguard children in a digital landscape defined by powerful platforms, addictive design, and rapidly evolving technologies.
Crackdown on AI chatbots and legal loopholes
Central to the announcement is a crackdown on illegal content generated by AI chatbots. The government will close a legal loophole to ensure all chatbot providers are fully bound by duties under the Online Safety Act, meaning firms could face penalties if they fail to prevent illegal material.
The move follows recent government intervention over non-consensual intimate images circulating on Elon Musk’s platform Grok, which led to the feature being withdrawn.
Ministers are also taking new legal powers designed to enable faster action once the children’s online wellbeing consultation concludes. The changes aim to avoid delays caused by the need for fresh primary legislation every time technology evolves.
Potential limits on social media features
The proposals could pave the way for measures such as minimum age requirements for social media and restrictions on features like infinite scrolling, which critics say encourage excessive use.
While sharing nude images of children is already illegal, the government will consult on stronger safeguards to prevent children from sending or receiving such content in the first place. The consultation will also examine wider risks, including children’s access to AI chatbots, the use of VPNs to bypass safety protections, and whether the age of digital consent should be changed.
In cases of a child’s death, new protections could ensure relevant online data is preserved to support investigations.
Alongside legislative changes, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a new campaign, You Won’t Know Until You Ask, offering guidance on safety settings, conversation tips, and advice on tackling harmful content.
A full consultation on children’s digital wellbeing will launch next month, with ministers promising it will be shaped by the experiences of parents and young people.
The measures mark a significant shift in the UK’s approach, as ministers seek to keep pace with technological change and strengthen protections for children growing up online.
Government pledges faster action
Starmer, a father of two teenagers, has said the changes reflected the urgency many parents feel. “As a dad, I understand the worries parents face about keeping their children safe online,” he said.
“Technology is moving fast, and the law must keep up. Britain will be a leader, not a follower, on online safety. The action we took on Grok showed that no platform gets a free pass. We are closing dangerous loopholes and preparing to go further.”’
As part of these plans, Starmer has promised to take action on young people’s access to social media within “months, not years.” However, he clarified that this may not mean a complete ban for under-16s, but rather stronger protections, something teenagers themselves say they want: to feel safe online without being entirely restricted.
Shiv Bhatt, 17, discussed his views with Asian Voice, sharing how social media has played a significant role in his life. “I would say it has influenced me more positively than negatively.”
The internet has helped Shiv find a community where he can belong. He said, “Growing up in London, in a predominantly white area, there wasn’t much happening for Indians or for Hindus. Through social media, I was able to connect with people like me and learn from them.”
He has been able to explore topics such as history, religion, theology, philosophy, and even politics; and broaden his perspective and viewpoints. “Just this summer, I created my own online youth community called the Hindu Youth Society. It brings together Hindu young people from around the world. Social media has allowed me to expand my reach beyond London or even England to a global audience”, he expressed.
Shiv is vehemently against banning social media for under-16s. “In my view, by the age of at least 13, young people are mature enough to have a basic understanding of what is right and wrong when they see something online”, he said.
“They need a certain level of freedom, and social media, for the most part, is something they use to socialise, learn, and have fun”, he added.
He does, however, agree that there should be regulation on social media. He said, “I had parental controls on my social media until I was 16, and I think that kind of regulation is important. Social media isn’t just entertaining or light-hearted — it can also contain distressing or harmful content.
“For example, until I was about 15, I had a one-hour daily time limit on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. That encouraged me to spend time on other activities, such as reading or going out with friends, and it also reduced my exposure to potentially harmful content.”
Panav Bindal, 18, was initially drawn to video games, but social media soon sparked his creativity and opened his eyes to new possibilities.
Using online platforms, he taught himself coding and joined digital communities where he learned new skills, helped others, and even organised charity events. These experiences shaped his career ambitions, and he now plans to study Computer Science.
He believes that without social media, he might have struggled to find his direction.
According to him any further restrictions or limitations would only stop honest people who really need social media. He also expressed that the older generation should include the perspectives of the young people in any decision that is being made. “Just banning 'major' social media platforms like Australia is going to do more harm than good, by pushing children on newer platforms who are less moderated and more unsafe. This policy, in my mind is all smokes no fire”, he expressed.
“Think of social media like a car- yes it can be dangerous but if the driver is taught how to use it effectively then it can be used for good. In my opinion, under-16s need to be taught about the benefits of social media and how to use it safely- not take it away”, he adds.
