This weeks announcement from the UK Government about plans to ban social media for children under 16 is, in my opinion, a really positive step. It is something I welcome completely.
A Perspective from Working in Childcare
As Director of Childcare at Kickstart, this is something I feel strongly about, because we have to be honest about the impact this is having on children.
For those of us working with children every day, this has been building for a long time. We are seeing children exposed to things far too young, and in many cases it is shaping their friendships, their confidence, and the way they see themselves before they are emotionally ready to deal with any of it.
The Reality Children Are Facing Online
Children are being drawn into online spaces that were never designed with them in mind. Spaces that are fast, intense, and full of pressure. What should be normal childhood experiences are increasingly being replaced by comparison, online fallouts, inappropriate content, and a constant sense of needing to keep up. It is too much, too soon, and many children are carrying things they should never have had to carry at such a young age.
This is Not About Being Anti-Technology
So for me, this is not about being anti-technology or trying to wrap children up in cotton wool. It is about being honest about what is actually happening. We know these platforms can be harmful. We know they are addictive by design. We know children are accessing them earlier and earlier. So why would we not step in and say enough is enough?
That is why I see this announcement as a welcome change.
What Children Really Need
At Kickstart, we see every day what children really need.
They need time to play. They need space to talk. They need the chance to build friendships, fall out and make up in real life, work through things in the moment, and grow in environments where they feel safe and secure. They need to be children, without everything being shaped by a screen, by pressure, or by what somebody else says they should look like or act like.
Why This Matters So Much
That is why I am passionate about this. Because protecting childhood matters. Play matters. Real connection matters. Slowing things down matters.
A Step in the Right Direction
I do not think this will solve everything, because it will not. There will still be challenges, and children will still be influenced by the world around them in many different ways. But this is still a step in the right direction, and it is an important one. It sends a clear message that childhood deserves protecting.
A Call for the Sector
As a sector, I believe we should feel confident in welcoming this change. We see the difference every day that safe, nurturing, play based environments make. We know what children need, and we know how important it is to protect that.
Final Thought
Because children deserve a childhood, and it is our responsibility to protect that.
If you want to create environments where children can thrive, feel safe, and simply be children, Kickstart is here to support you. Get in touch today.
Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca is the Managing Director of Childcare at Kickstart and has spent most of her career in wraparound care. Rebecca cares deeply about quality, inclusion and supporting staff to give children safe, meaningful, and positive experiences every day.