Prime Highlights-
- The government will publish new screen-use guidance for five- to 18-year-olds in autumn 2026.
- Media literacy teaching will be strengthened through a new curriculum starting in 2028.
Key Facts-
- School mobile phone guidance will be reviewed and updated by September 2027.
- Ofcom will report on children’s app store use and age assurance by January 2027.
Background-
The UK government has set out new measures to support children’s online safety, including fresh screen-use guidance for five- to 18-year-olds, an updated review of school mobile phone policy, and stronger media literacy teaching, after accepting recommendations from an Education Committee report.
The Department for Education said new guidance for parents and carers on screen use will arrive in autumn 2026, helping families decide when a child is ready to use a smartphone, while steering clear of blanket screen-time rules. The government also plans to review and refresh its mobile phone guidance for schools by September 2027.
Media literacy teaching will be strengthened through an upcoming curriculum review, with updates planned for English and citizenship lessons. The new curriculum is due in 2027 and will roll out in classrooms from 2028.
In its response, the government said it views online safety as both a safeguarding and public health priority, placing responsibility on technology companies to design safer products for young users.
Building on earlier announcements, under-16s will gain new protections from platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, with additional safeguards limiting high-risk features like livestreaming for users up to age 17. The first related regulations are expected before Parliament by the end of 2026, while Ofcom will publish a report on children’s app store use, including age assurance, by January 2027.
Education Committee chair Helen Hayes MP welcomed the response, saying the evidence gathered helped strengthen the case for the new protections.
