Despite official age restrictions set at 13, almost one million preschool‑age children in the United Kingdom actively use social media. This is evidenced by data from the UK media regulator Ofcom, published by the Centre for Social Justice.
According to Ofcom, 37% of parents reported that their children aged 3-5 use at least one social media app or website. Based on demographic estimates, this may amount to up to 814,000 children aged 3-5. For reference, in 2023 this figure was 29%.
The study also found that nearly one in five (19%) children in this age group use social media independently, while 40% of children under 13 have a social media profile despite established age restrictions.
In addition, one in four online gamers aged 8-9 reports interacting with strangers during gameplay. Parents’ level of concern remains high: three out of four worry about their children’s access to age‑inappropriate content.
Harm to children’s health
The report “Change the Prescription”, published by the Centre for Social Justice, which examined the causes of deteriorating mental health, has highlighted the harmful impact of social media and the internet on children’s health. The researchers emphasize that the use of the internet, social media, and digital devices can lead to sleep disturbances, delayed speech and emotional development, as well as increased anxiety and concerns related to self‑identity.
At the same time, a study conducted in New Zealand involving more than 6,000 children aged 2-8, and published in 2025, showed that using digital devices for more than 90 minutes a day leads to lower performance in communication, writing, and mathematics. The children also exhibited increased behavioural problems and early signs of anxiety disorders.
How to solve the problem
In June 2025, former UK Schools Minister Lord Nash introduced an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, proposing a complete ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16. The model is based on Australia’s approach, where in September 2025 strict age‑verification measures and blocked access to social media for children under 16 were implemented.
“This research is extremely alarming. We need a large‑scale public health campaign to help parents better understand the harm that social media causes to young children, as well as legislation that raises the minimum age for social media use to 16 and holds tech companies accountable if they fail to prevent children from accessing their platforms,” Lord Nash commented on the study’s findings.
The Centre for Social Justice calls not to leave families and schools to face the problem alone, but to strengthen digital protection within a national prevention strategy.
Among the recommendations are:
- raising the minimum age for social media use to 16;
- banning smartphones in schools to break the 24‑hour cycle of use;
- launching a nationwide public health campaign to draw attention to the harm caused by social media.
New developments in Italy
Apart from the United Kingdom, Italy’s approach to counteracting the harmful effects of the internet, social media, and digital devices on children is also illustrative. In accordance with Article 13‑bis of the Caivano Decree (Legislative Decree 123/2023) and the implementing regulation of Agcom (Decision No. 96/25/CONS), entities that distribute pornographic content in Italy are required, as of November 2025, to implement age‑verification systems. If this requirement is not met, the Italian regulator will issue an official warning, and if the warning is ignored, a fine of up to 250,000 euros will be imposed.
It should be recalled that the National Council pays considerable attention to protecting the interests of children in the media in the digital age. In particular, last year the media regulator presented recommendations for the media aimed at preventing the use of gender stereotypes in children’s content and avoiding media‑induced trauma among minors.
During a working visit to Australia, the Chair of the National Council, Olha Herasymiuk, also discussed the country’s strict restrictions on children’s access to social media with the Australian regulator. Ukraine has joined UNESCO’s global discussion on how to communicate with children in the online world.
