This week, the UK Government has announced plans to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirming the new restrictions are expected to come into force from spring 2027. The proposals form part of a wider package of online safety reforms designed to protect children from damaging content and excessive social media use.

While many parents and safeguarding professionals will welcome the move, the announcement raises important questions for children’s homes, fostering agencies and supported accommodation providers, particularly those regulated by Ofsted.

Safeguarding Benefits and Practical Challenges for Social Care Providers

Children’s social care providers regularly manage risks associated with social media, including grooming, criminal exploitation, cyberbullying and inappropriate contact. A statutory ban may reduce some of these risks and provide greater clarity for providers supporting vulnerable children.

However, many children in care use social media to maintain relationships with family members and friends. Providers will therefore have to continue balancing safeguarding concerns with children’s emotional wellbeing and their right to maintain important connections.

What Will Ofsted Expect from Social Care Providers?

Although the proposed ban places responsibility primarily on social media companies and regulators, providers should expect continued scrutiny of their online safeguarding arrangements.

Ofsted is likely to remain focused on:

• The quality of online safety risk assessments;
• Staff understanding of digital safeguarding risks;
• How children are supported to use technology safely, and
• Whether restrictions on internet or social media use are proportionate and regularly reviewed.

Preparing for the Social Media Ban: Key Steps for Providers

Providers should take this opportunity to review:

• Online safety and safeguarding policies;
• Individual risk assessments;
• Staff training on emerging online risks; and
• Arrangements to support children in maintaining safe contact with family and friends.

The detail of the legislation and enforcement mechanisms is still developing, but the direction of travel is clear. Children’s social care providers will be expected to play a key role in helping young people navigate a significantly more regulated online environment.

For Ofsted-regulated providers, the priority should remain on achieving the right balance between protecting children from harm and supporting them to develop safely and confidently in an ever more digital world.

Providers should also keep a close eye on further guidance as the legislation develops and consider seeking advice where needed.