Petition · Department for Education
Ban under 16s from being featured in social media content
Open for signatures
192 signatures
What the petition asks
Ban the publication and sharing of images and videos on social media featuring children under 16 years old. We believe children should not be used as content.
We feel the ban on social media for under 16s misses one thing: parents can freely share their children online, even without the child's consent, sometimes to make money from them.
This can create a digital footprint for the child, long before they have access at 16 years old. Many children featured in social media content are bullied online (by adults) and face embarrassment as they grow up, being denied privacy for sensitive moments. We believe there are many safety & safeguarding concerns too.
This can create a digital footprint for the child, long before they have access at 16 years old. Many children featured in social media content are bullied online (by adults) and face embarrassment as they grow up, being denied privacy for sensitive moments. We believe there are many safety & safeguarding concerns too.
Timeline
| 14 Jul 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
192
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Education
Opened
14 Jul 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 26 Jul 2026.