By Abdul Adil
Muslim organisations have expressed sharply differing views as the government launches a major consultation on social media use by children, alongside plans to enforce stricter mobile‑phone bans in schools.
The three-month consultation, announced by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, marks the start of a national conversation with parents, young people and civil society on how best to ensure children develop healthy relationships with technology. Measures under consideration include restrictions on addictive design features, improved age verification, and the possibility of raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16, introducing overnight digital curfews, and curbing features widely seen as addictive, such as infinite scrolling and “streaks”.
As part of immediate action, Ofsted inspectors will be required to check compliance with school mobile phone policies at every inspection. New, tougher guidance will make clear that schools should be phone-free environments by default, with pupils not permitted access to devices during lessons, break times or lunch. While nearly all schools already have mobile phone policies in place, 58% of secondary pupils report phones being used without permission in lessons, rising to 65% among older students.
Ministers will also support families by producing evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16. This will build on guidance for parents of under-fives due to be published in April. The proposals form part of the government’s wider agenda to give every child the best start in life, alongside curriculum reform and improved skills training.
The consultation will examine international evidence on children’s online safety, including whether social media bans are effective and how they could be enforced. Ministers will visit Australia to learn from its approach. Options being explored include raising the digital age of consent, introducing phone curfews, restricting addictive features such as infinite scrolling and “streaks”, and strengthening parental controls.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government had already taken “clear, concrete steps” through the Online Safety Act, adding: “Technology has huge potential to improve lives, but we will only seize that potential if people know they and their children are safe online.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Mobile phones have no place in our schools. No ifs, no buts. Stronger guidance and enforcement will help ensure all children can learn in phone-free environments.”
Muslim organisations have offered differing perspectives. Professor Javed Khan, chair of Equi, said governments worldwide are grappling with the impact of social media on children. While acknowledging the appeal of a ban for exhausted parents and teachers, he warned of unintended consequences. “For many young people – including those in care, LGBTQ+ teenagers, and those in isolated communities – social media is a lifeline. Removing that risks deepening isolation.”
He noted that many children’s charities oppose outright bans, arguing they can silence marginalised voices and overlook gaps in offline support. He also cautioned that bans are easily circumvented through fake ages and VPNs. Instead, he called for a “middle path” focused on platform design, including restricting addictive features, requiring safer algorithms for minors, improving transparency, and investing in digital literacy.
In contrast, the Muslim Council of Britain has welcomed stronger regulation. Its Secretary General, Dr Wajid Akhter, described social media harm as “a ticking time bomb” and urged urgent action. “As a GP, I see clear evidence linking high social media use to anxiety, depression, OCD and eating disorders,” he said.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also voiced support for banning social media for under-16s, arguing that while parents play the primary role in raising children, many support a ban given the scale of the challenge and the influence of peer pressure.
The government is expected to respond to the consultation in the summer, setting out next steps for safeguarding children in the digital age.
Feature photo:Credit: Bud Gustaman/Unsplash CC
