S2 E26 Should Social Media Be Banned for Under 16s? What This Means for Schools | With Lewis Matheson from Physics Online

The UK government is debating whether social media should be banned for under 16s.

Australia has already introduced restrictions. Spain is considering similar moves. This is no longer theoretical; it is a real policy discussion that could directly affect students, teachers, and schools.

In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Matheson from Physics Online to unpack what a ban would actually mean in practice.

We explore:

• What the Australian restrictions really cover
• Whether YouTube should be treated differently from TikTok and Instagram
• The impact on disadvantaged students who rely on free educational content
• Whether bans push young people towards less regulated spaces
• Why stricter mobile phone policies in schools may come first

As classroom teachers turned content creators, we examine both sides. The documented harms of social media and the genuine educational benefits that are often overlooked.

Is a blanket ban a solution?
Or is it a blunt policy tool for a complex issue?

Listen to the full discussion and decide for yourself.

If you work in education, your perspective matters, share your thoughts in the comments.