The Social Media Ban Is Coming — But It's Not Enough on Its Own
Whether you support it, oppose it, or simply haven't made up your mind yet, the social media ban for under-16-year-olds is moving closer to becoming law. Once it comes into force, platforms will be legally required to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. On the surface, that sounds like a meaningful step forward in protecting young people online. And in many ways, it is.
But here's the truth that every parent needs to hear: the ban is not a silver bullet. It does not replace the need for robust parental controls on your children's devices and home network. Legislation can only go so far. Children are resourceful, curious, and increasingly tech-savvy. If a door is closed, they'll look for a window. That's why the responsibility of creating a safer digital environment still falls, at least in part, on parents and caregivers.
Having raised two children through the challenges of the digital age, the lessons learned along the way are hard-won and worth sharing. Here's a practical guide to parental controls — what they are, why they matter, and how to set them up effectively.
Start With a Conversation, Not a Restriction
Before you download any app or toggle any setting, the most important step is also the most human one: talk to your kids. Parental controls work best when they exist within a framework of open, honest communication. If children understand why certain restrictions are in place, they're far more likely to respect them — and far less likely to try to circumvent them.
Explain your reasoning in age-appropriate terms. A seven-year-old and a fourteen-year-old will need very different conversations, but both deserve one. Talk about the kinds of content that can be harmful, the risks of sharing personal information online, and the importance of coming to you if something online makes them feel uncomfortable or upset. Make it clear that restrictions aren't about distrust — they're about safety.
As your children grow older, it's entirely reasonable to loosen restrictions gradually. Parental controls aren't meant to be permanent walls; they're training wheels that can be adjusted as your child develops digital literacy and good judgment. The goal is to raise adults who can navigate the internet safely and responsibly, not children who've simply been blocked from accessing it.
Use the Built-In Parental Controls on iOS and Android
The good news for parents is that you don't need to spend money to get started. Both Apple and Android devices come with built-in parental control tools that are genuinely powerful — and completely free.
Screen Time for iPhone and iPad (iOS)
If your child uses an Apple device, Screen Time is your first port of call. Available in the Settings app under your child's Apple ID, Screen Time gives you a comprehensive toolkit for managing how your child uses their device. Key features include:
- App limits: Set daily time limits for specific apps or categories of apps, such as social networking, games, or entertainment.
- Content and privacy restrictions: Block explicit content in apps, websites, books, and films. You can also prevent your child from making in-app purchases or downloading apps above a certain age rating.
- Downtime: Schedule periods during which only the apps you choose — such as phone calls or educational tools — will be available. This is particularly useful at bedtime or during homework hours.
- Communication limits: Control who your child can contact and who can contact them, including during downtime.
- Screen Distance: On newer devices, this feature uses the front camera to encourage kids to hold their device further away, protecting their eyesight.
You can manage all of this remotely via your own iPhone using Family Sharing, which means you don't need to handle your child's device directly every time you want to make a change.
Family Link for Android
Android users have access to Google's Family Link, which offers a very similar set of features through the Family Link app. Once set up, you can approve or block app downloads from the Google Play Store, set screen time limits, lock your child's device remotely, and review their activity. Family Link also allows you to set location sharing so you can always see where your child's device is.
One thing worth noting is that Family Link's level of supervision changes once a child turns 13, in line with data protection rules. At that point, some controls shift from mandatory to opt-in, which means it's worth having another conversation with your teenager about expectations as they approach that age.
Secure Your Home Network With Router-Level Controls
Device-level controls are essential, but they only apply when your child is using their own device. A determined child with access to a games console, smart TV, or even a friend's phone can still reach inappropriate content over your home Wi-Fi. This is where router-level parental controls come in.
Many modern routers — particularly those from providers like BT, Sky, and Virgin Media — come with built-in family safety features that allow you to filter content at the network level. This means every device connected to your Wi-Fi is subject to the same rules, regardless of whether it has its own parental controls installed. You can also look into dedicated DNS filtering services such as CleanBrowsing or OpenDNS, which are free and straightforward to configure.
Consider a Dedicated Parental Control App
For parents who want even more granular control, third-party parental control apps can bridge the gaps left by native tools. Apps such as Bark, Qustodio, and Circle offer features that go beyond simple time limits, including content monitoring, social media supervision, and alerts when potentially concerning activity is detected — such as signs of cyberbullying or contact with strangers.
These tools tend to have a subscription cost, but many parents find the peace of mind well worth it, especially as children get older and their online activity becomes more varied and complex.
Keep the Conversation Going
The internet changes constantly, and so do the risks it presents. New apps emerge, trends shift, and the ways children use technology evolve year by year. No single setup will remain perfectly adequate forever. Make a habit of revisiting your parental control settings every few months, and keep talking to your kids about what they're doing online.
The social media ban may close one door. But your ongoing involvement, combined with the right technical tools, is what will truly keep your children safe in the digital world.