Bermuda weighs in on UK’s social media ban for under-16s
Youth representatives shared a range of views on the UK’s plan to ban social media for under-16s in a move designed to “give kids their childhood back”.
Britain plans to follow Australia in prohibiting children’s accounts on major platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not included but restrictions are planned for gaming sites such as Roblox, to shield children from online chats with strangers.
The Bermuda Government said there had been no formal discussion for similar bans on the island but it was watching developments in jurisdictions that had taken the route.
A government spokesman said: “Concerns about online harms and their impact on young people remain important and warrant ongoing attention.”
Smartphone Free Childhood Bermuda is a grassroots interest group that aims to persuade parents to delay allowing their children access to smartphones and social media but it has not lobbied for an outright ban because of the “nuanced” nature of the issue.
Una Walsh-Taylor, one of SFC Bermuda’s founders, said the Government had reached out and shown support for its cause.
She said: “We think that a government ban on social media would certainly help parents. It would definitely make the decision easier for them not to give their child a smartphone or social media account earlier than 14 or 16 years old.
“Any guardrails put in place are helpful to parents. We have always suggested that our group helps to eliminate peer pressure for kids and parents.
“With a ban, parents can actually say ‘no, you cannot get a Snapchat etc account — it’s against the law’.
“There are many teens who benefit from social media groups, whereby they feel they could not speak to anyone in person about their issues, and find a lot of support and solace on social media.
“This is something Bermuda would need to look carefully at, as there is a youth mental health issue here. I would hope that if there were to be a ban it would take into account those who have had socials already and rely on that. I would look to avoid kids getting on social media in the first place rather than taking it away from those who already have it.”
A spokesman for the Government said that protecting children in the digital age cannot be addressed by any single ministry or sector alone and is an issue that touches education, health, child protection, digital innovation, public safety and community development.
He said: “Addressing these challenges effectively will require collaboration among parents, schools, community organisations, technology companies and young people themselves to ensure children are supported both online and offline.
“Issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, exposure to harmful content and excessive screen use are real concerns for families and communities. The Government's current focus is on education, awareness and prevention.
“Through the relaunch of the Cybertips programme, the Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation is working to provide young people, parents and educators with practical tools and information to help them navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.”
Ms Walsh-Taylor insisted that SFC Bermuda was not anti-tech but favoured keeping developing brains free from algorithms, notifications and “tech-driven dopamine spikes”.
“We are more for outdoor fun, socialising in person and helping our kids grow up into healthy, confident people through resilience, curiosity and confidence.”
Some tech giants such as Meta are pushing back, saying a ban could lead children into other, unsafe online environments.
Ms Walsh-Taylor said: “I think some teens will find a way around the age verification system. Some will use VPN [a virtual private network security tool that provides secure connectivity between devices in different locations], have their parents or older cousins sign up for them.
“I can’t imagine the Government is aiming for 100 per cent of the younger population off social media but getting to the majority is the goal.”
Sloane Johnson, the former lead for the Government’s Cybertips internet safety programme, said she did not believe Bermuda should rush towards a full social media ban for under-16s without a broader national conversation first.
Ms Johnson said: “I absolutely believe we need stronger protections for young people online. My concern is that a ban could give adults a false sense of safety while young people simply move to less visible, less regulated and potentially more harmful online spaces.
“I would be more supportive of a layered approach that includes stronger age-appropriate design requirements, better parental education, school-based digital citizenship programmes, limits on addictive platform features, stronger reporting pathways and clear accountability for platforms. Bermuda also needs to consider what is realistic to enforce locally.
“I would be cautious about exempting platforms simply because they are classified as messaging apps or games. Roblox, WhatsApp, Signal and Discord-style environments, gaming chats, live-streaming platforms and other online spaces can also expose children to harm. The conversation should focus less on the name of the platform and more on the features that create risk.”
As well as prohibiting social media for under-16s, the UK Government plans a blanket ban on harmful functions such as live-streaming and child communication with strangers for under-16s.
The UK Government said on its website: “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 Government will also be looking in more detail at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18-year-olds, and will set out more detail in July.”
Keir Starmer, the UK’s Prime Minister, stated: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first-hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
In addition, AI “romantic companion” chatbots will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18.
She said social media issues should be prioritised but not solely as a legislative issue.
“This is a child protection, education, public health and community issue. Government has a role to play, but so do parents, schools, community organisations and technology companies.
“We cannot regulate our way out of this without also teaching children, parents and educators how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.”
Laura Robinson, senior psychologist and clinical supervisor at Solstice, said research and clinical experience suggested social media could exert a significant impact on young people’s wellbeing.
Dr Robinson said: “For some young people, it can provide connection and support; for others, it can contribute to anxiety, sleep disruption, cyberbullying, social comparison and exposure to harmful content.
“That is why we believe this conversation should be approached first and foremost as a youth mental health issue.
“Whether the answer is a ban, stronger safeguards, better education or a combination of approaches is ultimately a public policy decision, but the wellbeing of young people should remain at the centre of the discussion.”
Dr Robinson said that Solstice's experience in its Growing Mind Centre showed parents were often concerned about children’s screen time, saying problems between friends were exacerbated by online, social media and phone contact.
Bullying was also a common concern.
Dr Robinson added: “Snapchat and WhatsApp are commonly referenced by our clients as social media platforms that facilitate bullying, while parents are reporting not using or knowing how to use parental controls.
Callahj Simons, 17, is a former Youth Parliamentarian and member of the Youth Advisory Board, who was named International Women’s Day Teen of the Year.
Speaking as a youth advocate, Ms Simons said she believed keeping young people off social media came with potential harmful effects but that regulations could improve safety online.
She added: “I think a ban would do more harm than good.
“A fair solution would be to add a provision to the Children Act that helps to safeguard young people against the dangers of social media.
“A ban would be as though you are punishing young people. I think there are ways they can control it.
“The Children Act includes welfare principles and I would suggest updating them.”
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