Parents, carers and young people in Stone are being asked to help shape the future of children’s online safety.
The UK Government has opened a three month consultation on children’s digital wellbeing, which launched on Monday 2 March 2026 and will close on Tuesday 26 May 2026.
The consultation, titled Growing up in the online world, looks at how to keep children safe across social media, AI chatbots and gaming platforms. Responses will help determine whether new rules are introduced.
You can take part in the consultation here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation
Background on the Online Safety Act is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act
What is being considered
The consultation goes beyond a simple yes or no on banning social media for under-16s.
It asks for views on:
• Whether there should be a minimum age for social media use, and what that age should be
• Whether platforms should be required to switch off features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay
• Whether mandatory overnight curfews would help children sleep better
• Whether children should be able to use AI chatbots without restriction
• How age verification could be strengthened
• How to better support parents and children to build healthier digital habits
The government says the Online Safety Act has already introduced stronger protections, but that further steps may be needed as technology evolves.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play. That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one.
We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.
This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
“Technology is fundamentally changing childhood. Used well, it can open up new opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, but only if we get the balance right.
Today’s consultation is a vital next step. For the first time, we will also publish guidance on healthy screen time for children aged 5 to 16, giving parents the practical tools to help their children build a healthier relationship with technology from an early age.”
What this could mean locally
In Stone, conversations about screen time are already happening around kitchen tables and in school playgrounds.
Parents talk about late night scrolling, group chats that do not switch off, and the pressure to stay constantly connected. School pupils of all ages can be seen walking around the town after school with phones in hand.
Some families believe a clear minimum age would remove grey areas. Others worry a blanket ban could simply push teenagers towards less regulated platforms.
The government has also said it will run live pilots with teenagers to test possible measures such as bans, overnight curfews and daily screen time limits before making final decisions.
Have your say
The consultation is open to:
• Parents and carers
• Young people
• People who work with children
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Academics and industry
It closes on Tuesday 26 May 2026. The government says it will respond in the summer.
We would like to hear from Stone families as well.
Should there be a minimum age for social media?
Would curfews make a difference in real life?
Or should this remain a matter for families rather than government?
Share your thoughts below.
