SWGfL Launches Survey to Gather Professional Views About Social Media Banning

SWGfL has introduced a new UK-wide survey aimed at gathering insights from professionals who work closely with children and young people. The focus is to better understand their perspectives on social media and its impact on children and young people. This research seeks to gather opinions around whether individuals under the age of 16 should be restricted from having social media accounts.

The idea of limiting young people’s access to social media is not straightforward. While there are clear concerns around mental health, exposure to inappropriate content, and online harms, opinions differ on whether ban would be beneficial or if it might lead to unintended outcomes.
Professionals who support children directly, such as teachers, safeguarding leads, social workers, and healthcare practitioners, offer valuable, real-world insight that is essential to this conversation.

This survey has been created to:
– Gather first-hand experiences from those working with young people
– Measure levels of support or disagreement regarding a potential ban
– Examine perceived advantages, risks, and possible unintended effects
– Explore alternative strategies that may better promote safety and wellbeing

The results will provide a clearer understanding of professional viewpoints and help identify the most effective ways to support children and young people. These findings will also inform contributions to the UK Government’s upcoming consultation on social media.

Professionals from education, safeguarding, healthcare, youth services, law enforcement, and the voluntary sector are encouraged to participate. The survey takes around 10–15 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous.

By taking part, contributors will help shape future discussions and decisions about young people’s use of social media in the UK—ensuring that policies are informed, balanced, and focused on their needs.

Access the survey here