A Young Activist’s Perspective on the Under-16 Social Media Ban 

Following his recent article exploring what a social media ban for under-16s could mean for young people, Rory – Rekindle’s National Head of Learning – spoke to youth activist Binish (pictured below) about the role social media has played in her life.

In this interview, she shares her personal experiences of growing up online and her perspective on the government’s proposed ban for under-16s.

Binish’s views are her own, but they offer an important perspective from someone whose experiences sit at the heart of the debate.

To kick things off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Hi, my name is Binish. I am a 20-year-old activist fighting for working class young people to have access to politics. I fight for change in different ways through creativity, building networks and public speaking. 

How would you describe your relationship with social media? Which apps did you use most growing up? And how did you use them? 

My relationship with social media has definitely helped me grow and be the person I am today. I was 14 when I started using social media, and I discovered so many things that helped me throughout my life.  

It helped me get through COVID and meet wonderful friends, and I was also able to make a portfolio which showcased my creative talent. 

Social media allowed me to explore and make my own choices without an adult’s bias. I would say it played a crucial role in allowing me to make my own choices and develop my own view on the world. 

It was thanks to social media that I came across such a wonderful organisation called Reclaim, which helped me get further in touch with my community and become the confident young activist and organiser that I am today. 

It was through the opportunities I found via social media that I learned about the importance of mental health, community, and fighting inequality. The government often doesn’t care about the injustices that exist in society. Through the opportunities I found on social media, I was able to develop the tools, resources and networks that have enabled me to become the activist that I am today. 

Would you say Social Media has had a positive or negative impact on your life? 

Absolutely, as I said in the previous question, I wouldn’t be the confident, smart, and brave young person I am if it weren’t for the experiences I gained from social media. 

The government is planning a total social media ban for under-16s by spring 2027. When you first heard that, what was your honest, immediate reaction? 

I was angry and frustrated. It is a ridiculous policy. I am worried about how they will prove who is under 16. What personal details are they going to collect? Will people have to upload their passports, or have their faces scanned? Where will this data go? I imagine they will go to the tech companies. So it gives them more power. 

Do you think politicians have an accurate understanding of the way young people use social media? 

No, they don’t, and even if they did, they don’t seem to care. If they really cared, they would’ve sat down and had conversations with young people. Young people weren’t even in the discussion!! 

What about the tech companies who create the apps that you use- how much responsibility do they have? 

They have a huge responsibility. This policy takes away that responsibility, and places the burden on the young people. 

Have you ever used social media to learn about a cause, share an issue, or support something you care about? 

YES YES YES!!! I can’t stress the importance of it enough. I was able to share and fight and educate myself on climate change, poverty, class issues, international issues, women’s rights, knife crime, the importance of history, social injustice, democracy, politics, violence against women and girls, street safety, protesting, boycotting, genocides, geopolitical matters. And so many more.

Is there anything that worries you about the Social Media ban? 

Yes, a lot of issues; the main issue that really worries me is isolating a large group away from the world. It strips away everything they’ve known and the knowledge and opportunities from them they could reach through social media. 

If you could sit down with the Prime Minister for two minutes, what’s the one thing you’d want him to understand about what social media means to a teenager today? 

If I had just two minutes with the Prime Minister, I’d ask him to see social media through the eyes of a teenager rather than through headlines. 

For my generation, social media isn’t just entertainment; it’s where we communicate, learn, create, discover opportunities, and feel connected to the world around us. It’s where we find free local events, volunteer opportunities, apprenticeships, revision resources, career advice, creative inspiration, and communities of people who share our interests or experiences. For many young people, especially those from working-class backgrounds or areas where youth services have been cut, these platforms provide opportunities that simply aren’t available offline. 

Of course, there are real dangers online, and those should be taken seriously, but banning young people from social media doesn’t solve those problems; it simply removes us from a space that has become a normal part of modern life. 

The responsibility should be on technology companies to make their platforms safe, and on the government to hold them accountable when they don’t, rather than placing the burden entirely on young people. 

To explore the wider context behind this conversation, read Rory’s article, What Could a Social Media Ban Mean for Youth Activism?, examining the proposed under-16 social media ban and its potential impact on young people.