Petition · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Ban the use of smart phones & social media on the internet for under 18s
Closed
129 signatures
What the petition asks
We think the government should ban under-18s from owning or using smartphones or accessing social media. These changes aim to protect young people from what we believe are the harmful effects of early exposure, including poor mental health, reduced attention span, and social development issues.
Some studies show that smartphones and social media are linked to rising mental health issues in young people, including anxiety, depression and poor sleep. We are concerned that children can face cyberbullying and harmful content and social pressures they aren’t ready for. We believe that current age limits are widely ignored and a legal ban would protect young people and support parents and schools.
Timeline
| 6 Aug 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Feb 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
129
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Opened
6 Aug 2025
Closed
6 Feb 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 11 Aug 2026.