Social media use is widespread among children and young people. Ofcom’s 2025 media literacy research found that more than two-thirds of children aged 3-17 use social media apps.
Ofcom’s 2025 research found 37% of 8-17 year olds who use social media or messaging apps agreed that ‘people are mean or unkind to each other’ on these apps all or most of the time. Parents have expressed concern about children’s exposure to harmful content and online pressures, and the difficulty of monitoring children’s online lives. Some commentators express concern about social media’s role in amplifying extreme views, including to children and young people. Children also report benefits to social media use, such as to connect with friends.
The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. Updates to government guidance under the Online Safety Act have expanded expectations for platforms, including algorithmic filtering of harmful content. Ofcom’s childsafety duties now require platforms to demonstrate effective riskmitigation systems.
In March 2026, the government launched an open consultation on growing up in the online world, including around setting a minimum age for children to access social media.
Evidence on the impacts of social media spans includes impacts on health, identity, attitudes and relationships. The evidence base is evolving quickly, with ongoing debates about causality, algorithmic influence and the role of platform design.
This briefing will synthesise the available evidence on social media’s effects on children and young people. It will evaluate available evidence and identify evidence gaps, considering the risks and benefits of social media use, recent policy changes, international approaches, and the attitudes of children, young people and parents.
Please note POST also has an open call for contributions for a complementary POSTnote on Impacts of screen and phone use on children and young people’s development.