What Christian parents and young people really think about the social media ban

I distinctly remember in 1999, as a university student, I was suddenly able to use the ‘world wide web’ to access information for my Geography assignment, instead of only printed texts. To be able to easily search and find such current information was transformative!

Yet my children born from 2009 onwards seem to have always had the internet available – for finding information, for entertainment and also for connecting with friends. They are natives to this digital world but I am somewhat of an immigrant digitally … I have had to intentionally learn how to use social media whereas for them it is very natural.

Many parents welcomed the idea of a ban

The world my children inhabit is vastly different to the one I grew up in. As a parent, this is hard to navigate. It’s difficult to know what the appropriate boundaries should be. Difficult to know how to be a good role model myself. And it is difficult to know how to prepare my kids to go out into the world, when they already seem so surrounded and impacted by the world, even without leaving our sofa!

As much as we may not like the internet, social media or online connection, it is our world. We cannot ignore it. It’s the environment we’ve raised our kids in. We cannot pretend it’s not here.

that hope is tempered by concern and questions about how such a ban would be enforced

As parents, we rely heavily on digital support – to do the supermarket shop, to navigate our way to our kids’ activities, and to connect with the school – officially and with the other parents and carers. As much as it may be frustrating, there is so much of the digital world which helps us as 2026 parents.

And the same is true for our children – they intuitively check in with their friends online rather than lifting the phone for a chat. They look on YouTube for songs to help them learn times tables or their GCSE Biology. And whether we like it or not, they look online for fashion advice, gaming hacks and the definition of ‘sigma.’ They also look online to find out what the Bible is, is God real and how to pray.

Young people told a different, but equally thoughtful story…

At Scripture Union, we long to see a generation with a vibrant faith in Jesus, because we believe Jesus changes everything. So, the question isn’t whether the digital world should exist, it already does. The question is, what does it look like to reveal Jesus within it?

This question has become especially pressing considering discussions around a potential social media ban for young people. But before forming a response, we chose to listen to parents and to young people themselves. What we heard was not simple….

Many parents welcomed the idea of a ban, saying things like: “This could support what we’re already trying to do at home.” For them, it represents a possible way to reduce peer pressure and create space for more grounded, real-world relationships. Yet that hope is tempered by concern and questions about how such a ban would be enforced, and whether it might unintentionally increase isolation for some of the most vulnerable.

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The social media ban for U16s will make things worse

The social media ban for under-16s will help teens connect in the real-world

But within the comments from parents, there was also a recognition of something more nuanced: “Social media isn’t all bad for faith.” Yes, social media can distract, but it can also open doors. It provides access to teaching, worship, Scripture, and Christian community in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago.

Young people told a different, but equally thoughtful story…

For them, social media is not an add-on to life. It’s where much of life happens, as they said: “This is where we connect.” It’s where friendships are formed, identities explored, and faith shared. For those without strong local church connections, it is more than convenient. It can be essential: “Online spaces help me connect with other Christians my age.” For some, digital platforms also make faith more accessible on difficult days, with comments such as: “I can watch Bible studies online when I don’t feel able to read.”

Young people are not asking the Christian adults in their lives to retreat from digital spaces. They are asking us to show up

But they were equally clear about the challenges. Their central message was not defensive, but discerning: “A ban won’t fix the real problem.” Instead, they spoke about the need for better systems, stronger moderation, age-appropriate protections, and less aggressive algorithms. Their insights cut to the heart of the issue…it’s not just about access, it’s about influence. And perhaps most strikingly, their request to adults and to the Church was deeply relational “Don’t just warn us—walk with us.”

Young people are not asking the Christian adults in their lives to retreat from digital spaces. They are asking us to show up. They want content that is relevant and real, short-form videos that reflect their world, authentic voices rather than polished broadcasts and spaces that allow for conversation, creativity, and fun, alongside wisdom and guidance.

This is not simply a conversation about restriction; it is a conversation about formation. If we want to help young people follow Jesus today, we must do so in the reality they inhabit, not the one we remember. So, the challenge before us is this: How do we walk alongside young people as they navigate faith in a digital world?

At Scripture Union England and Wales, we believe the answer begins with listening and continues with equipping. Over the summer, we will be developing resources for churches, parents and carers, as well as children and young people, to help them navigate this space with confidence and wisdom.

To stay updated, follow us on social media or visit the SU website.

Dr Sarah Holmes is Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Liverpool Hope University and Lead Researcher at Scripture Union England & Wales

Sarah Davison is Innovation Lead at Scripture Union. She lives in Cheshire with her husband and son and is passionate about seeing children and young people develop their own personal faith in Jesus.