Oasis students lead national conversation on proposed social media ban for under-16s

Following the Prime Minister announcing the government’s proposal to ban social media for under-16s yesterday, Oasis was hugely proud to see students from Oasis Academy Enfield sharing their perspectives with the nation.

What is the proposed social media ban?

The UK Government has announced plans to introduce new restrictions that would prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing certain social media platforms. While details are still being developed, the proposal is expected to include:

• Stronger age verification requirements
• Potential limits on access to major platforms for under-16s
• Increased responsibility on tech companies to protect young users from harmful content

The policy, set to come into action in Spring 2027, is part of a broader effort to improve online safety and wellbeing for young people, though it has also sparked debate about access, digital inclusion, and young people’s rights online.

Following the announcement, Oasis Academy Enfield Year 9, Year 10 and sixth form students all shared their views (and their screen time!) on what the social media ban could mean for young people, speaking with three major national news broadcasters, BBC London, ITV and Channel 4 News.

Oasis Founder Steve Chalke also joined BBC London, highlighting our shared responsibility to protect young people from the negative impacts of social media.

You can watch them here:

• BBC London News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002xsqd/bbc-london-evening-news-15062026 (from 03:00)
• ITV News: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/how-will-the-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-work-and-which-apps-will-be-restricted/n1vmx2m
• Channel 4 News: https://www.channel4.com/news/under-16s-to-be-banned-from-social-media-in-uk-but-will-kids-be-better-off (from 5:00)

At Oasis, we believe deeply in empowering young people to engage with the issues shaping their lives.

The thoughtful and balanced contributions from Oasis Academy Enfield students brought a much‑needed youth voice to a complex national debate. They demonstrated maturity, insight, and a clear understanding of both the risks and opportunities presented by social media. Their voices helped ensure that young people are not simply the subject of policy decisions, but active participants in the conversation.

This moment also reflects Oasis’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and to nurturing the whole child, by creating environments where every young person is encouraged to share their perspective and be heard.

Through our work with Enrichment for All, we continue to champion opportunities beyond the classroom that support young people to develop confidence, critical thinking and civic engagement. National engagement such as this is a powerful example of how enrichment experiences can equip students to navigate and contribute to the wider world.

Alongside the social media announcement, the government also set out new enrichment benchmarks, reinforcing the importance of high‑quality enrichment opportunities as a core part of young people’s education and development.

Oasis warmly welcomes this recognition of enrichment as essential, not optional, in supporting wellbeing, inclusion and life chances. These benchmarks closely align with our long‑standing commitment to Enrichment for All, ensuring that every child and young person, regardless of background, has access to empowering experiences that broaden horizons and build confidence.

As these benchmarks are developed and implemented, Oasis will continue to work alongside our academies and communities to support, strengthen and celebrate enrichment provision - removing barriers to participation and enabling young people to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

As the conversation around social media use, safeguarding and enrichment continues, Oasis remains committed to supporting our students to engage safely, thoughtfully and confidently in the digital world, while always advocating for their voices to be heard at every level.