Thursday June 18th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
‘Children will be given back their childhoods’, MP Kirsty McNeill explained as she welcomed the UK Government plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s.
The measures will apply to major platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. It is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.
In a move to protect children online and address the scale of the challenge, the government will also go further than a blanket ban on social media, with world-leading blocks on harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication for under-16s.
These restrictions – which together with the ban go further than any other country – will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.
The announcement follows one of the biggest national conversations held by the UK government, with more than 116,000 responses submitted by parents, children and experts across the country.
The responses showed overwhelming public backing for tougher action, with 9 in 10 parents saying they would support a social media ban for children under 16. The majority of young people also backed action, with two-thirds agreeing that children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms.
Welcoming the announcement, Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian said:
“There is a serious issue with children and young people navigating an online world that was never designed with their safety or wellbeing in mind, and I am incredibly pleased that our Labour Government is taking real action to deal with this problem.”
“Hundreds of people across Midlothian have contacted me about online safety and I am proud to have had the chance to ensure their voices, as well as the voices of our young people, were heard as part of the UK government’s consultation.”
“With this announcement my heart is with two Midlothian mums – Kim Campbell who started the original parliamentary petition which led to the first debate about this and Ruth Moss who has campaigned tirelessly in memory of her beloved daughter Sophie. Their strength in trying to change things amidst their deep sorrow is simply extraordinary.”
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