Hollie Gazzard Trust responds to government announcement on UK social media ban for under 16s
Today’s government announcement to ban social media access for under 16s in the UK sends a powerful and much‑needed message about the importance of protecting children and young people online.
While key questions remain about how the ban will be implemented in practice and, crucially, what more social media and technology companies will do to improve the safety of their platforms, the Hollie Gazzard Trust hopes this marks a genuine turning point for future generations.
Through our work with young people in schools, colleges and universities, we see first-hand the growing pressures they face as a result of harmful online exposure. Issues such as unwanted contact, grooming, the sharing of indecent images, exposure to the manosphere and pornography, and restrictive gender stereotypes are having a profound impact on their safety, wellbeing and relationships.
Jane Harvey, CEO of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, said:
“This announcement sends an important signal that the safety of children online must be taken far more seriously. Every day, we see the real-world impact of harmful online content on young people’s confidence, relationships and understanding of what is healthy and acceptable behaviour.”
“But this cannot be the end of the conversation. Technology companies must take far greater responsibility for the environments they create, and we must ensure that any measures introduced are robust, enforceable and genuinely improve safety.”
“Technology itself isn’t the problem—it’s how it is used and regulated. We need to equip young people, parents and educators with the tools, knowledge and support to navigate the online world safely and positively.”
At the Hollie Gazzard Trust, we believe technology can and should be a force for good, supporting safety, connection, and positive behaviour. But like any aspect of a young person’s life, it requires guidance, boundaries and accountability.
We will continue to work with young people, parents, educators and partners to ensure that today’s announcement leads to meaningful, lasting improvements in the lives of families across the country.
For practical advice on how to support children to stay safe online, check out our website and social media and these other resources: For parents: https://www.internetmatters.org/
Link for children/young people https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/staying-safe-online/
Please send any media enquiries to media@holliegazzard.org or call 07950 633796