The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), the UK’s largest family of all-girls’ schools, educating more than 19,000 students across England and Wales, has welcomed growing momentum behind proposals to restrict social media access for under-16s. School leaders say the debate reflects increasing concern among parents, educators and young people about the impact of social media on wellbeing, confidence and childhood development.
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving pupil wellbeing, the GDST announced that from September 2026 all its schools will provide a mobile phone-free environment for students up to Year 11. The move builds on successful initiatives already introduced across several schools within the trust.
Jo Sharrock, Head of Putney High School GDST, said social media platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive and often expose young people to harmful content.
“Combined with the harmful content proliferated by these platforms, social media poses very real dangers to young people and society at large,” she said.
Putney High School introduced Yondr pouches two years ago to create a phone-free school day. According to Sharrock, the results have been overwhelmingly positive.
“We have seen lower levels of anxiety, improved concentration, more active play and a significant reduction in friendship issues linked to online activity,” she said.
“The message from our young people is clear: something must change. This announcement recognises the scale of the challenge, but if we truly want to protect children, we must go further.”
While schools continue to educate students about both the opportunities and risks of online life, GDST leaders believe greater responsibility must now fall on technology companies to create safer digital environments for young users.
Dr May Lee, Head of Northampton High School GDST, said young people often have a more balanced understanding of social media than adults realise.
“When I speak to pupils about Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, they acknowledge the benefits,” she said. “These platforms help them stay connected with friends, discover new interests and learn about the world.”
“At the same time, they are very honest about the negatives. Many tell me that social media can leave them feeling anxious, unhappy, exhausted and exposed to bullying or upsetting content.”
Dr Lee believes stronger regulation of technology companies is essential.
“The most important step government could take is to push technology companies to make their platforms safer by design, with robust age verification measures and legislation that holds platforms accountable for harmful content,” she said.
School leaders also emphasise that restrictions alone are not enough. Young people will inevitably encounter digital platforms later in life and therefore need the knowledge, resilience and critical thinking skills to use them safely and responsibly.
Parents, they say, have a crucial role to play in helping children build healthy digital habits before any future restrictions come into force.
Julie Keller, Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST, highlighted the importance of parental involvement.
“Research consistently shows that parental engagement is one of the most effective factors in supporting healthy digital habits,” she said.
With proposed social media restrictions expected to be introduced next year, the GDST is encouraging families to use the coming months to establish positive routines around technology use.
“The conversation should not simply be about whether social media is good or bad,” Keller said. “It is about helping young people navigate a world where social media exists and will continue to play a significant role in their lives.”
“Ideally, we want students to become confident creators and leaders who use technology purposefully, rather than simply passive consumers.”
Eight Ways Parents Can Prepare Children for Social Media Restrictions
As discussions around under-16 social media restrictions continue, education leaders recommend that parents begin introducing healthier digital habits at home.
1. Keep Phones Out of Bedrooms
Encourage children to leave phones outside their bedrooms overnight to improve sleep quality and reduce late-night screen use.
2. Reintroduce Screen-Free Mealtimes
Family meals should focus on conversation and connection rather than devices. Regular phone-free time helps strengthen communication and relationships.
3. Delay Access to Social Media
Parents should carefully consider whether children need access to age-restricted platforms rather than feeling pressured by peers or trends.
4. Understand What Children Are Viewing
Review privacy settings, app usage and online experiences together to encourage openness and understanding.
5. Set Clear Boundaries
Consistent rules around screen time can help prevent devices from becoming the default activity during free time.
6. Encourage Offline Activities
Sports, music, reading, volunteering, drama and other hobbies can boost confidence, social connections and wellbeing away from screens.
7. Prioritise Conversation Over Punishment
Children are more likely to discuss online problems if they know they will be supported rather than immediately losing access to their devices.
8. Explain How Social Media Works
Helping young people understand algorithms, online influence and the way platforms are designed to maximise engagement can build digital resilience.
The GDST believes that creating a healthier digital environment requires collaboration between schools, parents, government and technology companies.
Sharrock concluded: “Parents and schools are already playing their part, but they need support. This is a wider societal issue that requires stronger regulation and more responsible action from technology companies.”
“Technology should serve young people, not shape and control them. This announcement is an important milestone, but it must be the beginning of a much wider conversation about protecting childhood in the digital age.”
Education experts agree that the effectiveness of any future social media restrictions will depend not only on enforcement, but also on meaningful age verification systems and changes to platform designs that currently encourage excessive use among children.