Family Fund’s position on the social media ban

At Family Fund we support families raising disabled children and young people with daily essentials- including getting online, through grants for devices, and workshops on digital skills and online safety. 

In our recent research families highlighted that digital access is essential for their children’s communication, education, independence and social connection. 

We support a clear baseline minimum age of 16 for social media, but this must be a first step not the full answer.  

Disabled children and young people in particular don’t fit neatly within a one-size-fits-all framework. As the ban and restrictions on livestreaming and communication and further online safety proposals are developed, it’s essential disabled children and young people’s experiences are fully reflected and considered as the government explores how to implement the ban. 

Children and young people develop at different rates and have different needs. Some disabled young people will require additional safeguards beyond the age of 16 due to developmental differences- we’re here to work with government to make sure their voices are heard 

Our research shows many families only have one device, shared throughout the family. This means many young people will be using a device owned by an adult and therefore may not have age restrictions in place. Families also tell us they lack confidence, skills and support to navigate their child’s access to digital spaces.  

For many disabled children, online platforms are vital for communication, learning, friendship, independence and accessible play that they cannot access offline. 

It’s vital tech companies fulfil their responsibilities under the Online Safety Act and demonstrate how they are preventing harm. So these valuable digital spaces are not lost but made safe 

We believe families raising disabled children are best served by a framework that both establishes a strong default minimum age of 16, enforces companies’ duties under the Online Safety Act and educates and informs families so they can determine what is appropriate for their child and how to implement it. 

To make sure this happens it’s crucial government consults with disabled young people and their families to ensure they are kept safe, not more excluded.