Children Must Be Shielded from Social Media and Generative AI | Letters

The ongoing government consultation regarding a potential ban on social media for individuals under 16 stems from mounting concerns over digital harms. As highlighted by a report by The Guardian, the focus has predominantly been on issues like addictive features and age restrictions. However, our team at the Neuroscience, Ethics, and Society (Neurosec) at the University of Oxford argues that this discussion should also encompass access to generative AI technologies for young individuals. While current discussions about social media have centered around its addictive nature and various age-related criteria, our research demonstrates that the implication of AI-driven tools introduces significant additional concerns that must be considered.

Indeed, the potential risks associated with mental health, social comparison, and the addictive design of online platforms apply to adolescents’ experiences. However, the digital landscape in 2026 encompasses much more than platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Today’s generation of youth frequently interacts with AI-powered chatbots across various domains, including educational and social scenarios. Adolescence is a critical time for the development of social skills and personal identity, raising pivotal questions: At what age should access to AI technologies that simulate friendship or intimacy be granted? What kind of protections can we establish to shield young minds from emotional manipulation or unhealthy dependencies born from artificial “connections”?

Any policy aiming to safeguard children must extend beyond familiar social media platforms to encompass all relevant technologies influencing youth development. Consultative processes should integrate findings from developmental psychology, AI ethics, and perspectives from young people themselves. Rather than merely asking whether certain platforms should be restricted, we should consider a far more profound inquiry: What types of relationships with technology do we wish to foster in future generations, and what is an appropriate age to initiate these interactions? Young people deserve comprehensive and proactive policies, rather than reactionary measures.

Implementing a social media ban for those under 16 is just the starting point for what our government should pursue to protect children in the UK. As an educator since 2010, I have witnessed the mental health crisis unfold while those in positions of power have exhibited a concerning lack of urgency in addressing the safeguarding dilemmas posed by social media. It is crucial for politicians, parents, and educators alike to assist children in discovering and nurturing genuine, deep connections in the physical world. This approach does not entail ditching technology entirely; instead, it involves regulating access to addictive and potentially harmful platforms, particularly during the remarkably flexible and vulnerable peak of adolescent neurodevelopment.

The solutions are not novel – engaging in sports, music, revitalizing youth clubs, and simply serving as positive role models are crucial strategies. However, those in power must take decisive action to avert the potential harms of social media from becoming ingrained in the lives of future generations.
Dr. Madeline G. Reinecke
Neurosec, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Recent discussions around the increasing calls for social media regulation underscore that we are at a critical juncture in this discourse. As early as 2015, the Youth Sport Trust produced the first of a series of reports cautioning against a generation being held captive by handheld devices. Although children are perpetually connected, they experience unprecedented levels of loneliness. Our latest Class of 2035 report warns that, if the current pattern continues, one decade from now, half of all children may spend a minimum of three hours a day engaging with screens purely for entertainment. The urgency to rethink childhood is more pressing than ever, and now is the time for meaningful change.
Ali Oliver
CEO, Youth Sport Trust