![Academy with 35,000 pupils becomes first in England to ban smartphones](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/21/06/Europe_Kids_Without_Phones_78089.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Academy with 35,000 pupils becomes first in England to ban smartphones
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Ormiston Academies Trust’s chief executive said the move was triggered by concerns about the link between the poor mental health of teenagers and using social media and mobile phones in general. An increasing distraction is catastrophic for the process of learning, and that’s true both at school and at home.” It comes as a minister suggested children in the UK could potentially be barred from using social media due to the damage it is inflicting on both their physical and mental health. Technology secretary Peter Kyle pledged to take a close look at proposals being floated in Australia, where the government plans to introduce legislation stopping children from using social media networks like Facebook and Instagram. Increasing numbers of parents are voicing concerns about social media usage among children – with bereaved families whose children’s deaths have been linked to the material they saw on the internet launching campaigns for reform.
History of this topic
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How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer
NPR![Dutch MP will propose banning children under 15 from using social media](https://nltimes.nl/sites/nltimes.nl/files/styles/news_article_full_desktop_2x/public/2024-12/Depositphotos_48238775_S.jpg?h=9d5f0dd6)
Dutch MP will propose banning children under 15 from using social media
NL TimesInsider Q&A: High hopes for Australia social media ban and channeling parental ‘fury’ over tech
Associated PressCalifornia to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
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Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
Associated Press![Smartphones should come with cigarette-like health warnings, experts tell Spanish govt](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/12/Smartphones-should-come-with-health-warnings-similar-to-cigarettes-experts-tell-Spanish-govt-2024-12-b19418bf901af4e5e1b24ab9d6c4ea2e-1200x675.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
Smartphones should come with cigarette-like health warnings, experts tell Spanish govt
FirstpostAustralia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?
Associated Press![Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere or even there?](https://media.assettype.com/newindianexpress%2F2024-12-04%2Fd3zxilpn%2FSocial-media.jpg?w=1200&ar=40%3A21&auto=format%2Ccompress&ogImage=true&mode=crop&enlarge=true&overlay=false&overlay_position=bottom&overlay_width=100)
Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere or even there?
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Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
China Daily![Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate](http://img2.chinadaily.com.cn/images/202412/02/674d2705a310f1268d85e513.jpeg)
Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
China Daily![JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?](https://www.deccanchronicle.com/h-upload/2024/11/30/1868125-aa-3542389.jpg)
JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?
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'Serious concerns': Meta and other social media companies slam Australia's social media ban for teens
Firstpost![In graphics | Australia bans social media for children under 16: What it means and how it will be implemented?](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/11/Untitled-design-41-2024-11-8c4288aa67072af5a896cff77587e54e.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
In graphics | Australia bans social media for children under 16: What it means and how it will be implemented?
Firstpost![How Australia’s social media ban for children compares to other countries](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/29/05/2186563649.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
How Australia’s social media ban for children compares to other countries
The Independent![Australia bans social media for kids under 16. But how will this even work?](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/11/2024-11-29T025050Z_1_LYNXNPEKAS02I_RTROPTP_4_AUSTRALIA-SOCIALMEDIA-1-2024-11-6295321a181c004fe4ef3ea9b3672c4a.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
Australia bans social media for kids under 16. But how will this even work?
Firstpost![Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/11/2024-11-28T165227Z_1_LYNXNPEKAR0GF_RTROPTP_4_AUSTRALIA-SOCIALMEDIA-1-2024-11-8cf762ba71129844e65b41bddf8562d9.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children
Firstpost![Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years](https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/indiatoday/resources/img/default-690x413.png)
Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years
India Today![Australia BANS social media for kids under 16: A global first in online safety](https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/1200_-/2024/11/social-media-2-1732869800.jpg)
Australia BANS social media for kids under 16: A global first in online safety
India TV News![Australia Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16](https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/iJZzKei8.ztM/v3/-1x-1.jpg)
Australia Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16
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Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids
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Social media ban for children ‘brilliant idea’ for tackling abuse – charity boss
The IndependentAustralia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s
Live Mint![Australia to ban under-16s from social media after passing landmark law](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/08/05/Australia_Social_Media_96946.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Australia to ban under-16s from social media after passing landmark law
The Independent![Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/11/AUSTRALIA-SOCIALMEDIA1200-1-2024-11-141211984b55bc1a7168283e8b1d063a.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16
Firstpost![Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/ap24325315639478.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill)
Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
CNN![Australia approves social media ban for under-16s in landmark move](https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/1200_-/2024/11/17320252551099007_brazil_g20_summit_39791.jpg)
Australia approves social media ban for under-16s in landmark move
India TV News![A social media ban in Australia for children under 16 will be first in the world](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7872x4428+0+410/resize/1400/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2F4d%2F94cb40734bac8792f3bc50f80206%2Fap24313196000973.jpg)
A social media ban in Australia for children under 16 will be first in the world
NPR![Australia bans social media for children under 16, first country to do so](https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/202411/social-media-284639416-16x9_0.jpg?VersionId=ds_dBOAAszSiUd7nHpcutld6om4Vbui7)
Australia bans social media for children under 16, first country to do so
India Today![Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/ap24325315639478.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill)
Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
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Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media
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ABP News![Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/11/27/1600x900/Australia-Social-Media-Bill-0_1732154891709_1732691020639.jpg)
Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16
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Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules
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Australian House of Representatives passes bill to ban social media for children
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Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s
Al JazeeraAustralia’s social media ban for kids is closer to becoming law
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Meta, TikTok, Google Slam Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban
Live MintAustralia should delay social media ban for children under 16, Big Tech says
Associated PressYoung Australians weigh in on under-16 social media ban as senators meet over plan
ABC![Australia social media ban: Is restricting all under-16s from social apps really the answer?](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/gettyimages-639440474.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill)
Australia social media ban: Is restricting all under-16s from social apps really the answer?
CNN![How will Australia’s social media ban for kids under 16 work?](https://images.firstpost.com/uploads/2024/11/Untitled-design-2024-11-21T155602.651-2024-11-155c68993d7db4f22d2ef232d71776fb.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
How will Australia’s social media ban for kids under 16 work?
FirstpostA social media ban for children younger than 16 is introduced in Australia’s Parliament
The HinduAustralia’s parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s
Associated PressIs a “digital duty of care” enough to protect young people from social media’s harms?
ABCAustralia won’t force social media users to share their personal details when child ban takes effect
Associated Press![Australia introduces bill to limit under-16s from using social media with tech companies facing huge fines](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/gettyimages-2038598670-20241120115846599.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill)
Australia introduces bill to limit under-16s from using social media with tech companies facing huge fines
CNN![Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move](http://epaper.chinadaily.com.cn/images/202411/18/673a97f5a3105c25dddd6fc9.png)
Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
China Daily![Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move](http://img2.chinadaily.com.cn/images/202411/18/673aa1d3a310f1268d851723.jpeg)
Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
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