Discussion | UK joins social media ban for children under 16, does SA need a similar law?

The United Kingdom has announced a landmark ban on social media for children under the age of 16, set to take effect in early 2027.

The restrictions will apply to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X and YouTube, as governments worldwide grapple with growing concerns around children's online safety, mental health and exposure to harmful content.

The UK joins a growing list of countries taking action. Australia has already implemented a social media ban for under 16s, while countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia and Canada are considering or developing similar restrictions.

The decision has also re-ignited a global debate about the role of parents, technology companies, and governments in keeping children safe online, the responsibility of content creators, and social media platforms in shaping what children see online.

How is content selected and recommended to young users, and what safeguards are needed to ensure children are consuming age-appropriate material?

To discuss this, we are joined by Social Media Lawyer, Lerato Ntwampe, Author, mother of four and Involved Parenting Conversationalist, Dr Victorine Mbong Shu, as well as SABC Multimedia Producer and Digital Media Strategist, Bongisipho Magcaba.


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