The government has confirmed that the under‑16 social media ban will go ahead. For many adults, this feels like a necessary step to protect children from the pressures, risks and addictive pull of the online world. And I understand that. The internet can be overwhelming, even for grown‑ups. I know from my own obsessive and addictive tendencies how easy it is to get drawn in, and how hard it can be to step back.

But I also remember being sixteen. At that age, I would have thought a ban like this was completely unfair. Social media is where friendships happen, where young people express themselves, and where they feel connected. Taking that away — even with good intentions — is bound to feel restrictive to some.

At the same time, it's important to acknowledge that not all children will see this as a punishment. Some young people have spoken openly about feeling exhausted by the constant pressure to be online, to respond instantly, to keep up with trends, and to compare themselves with others. For them, a break from social media might feel like a relief rather than a loss.

Childhood today looks very different from the one many of us remember. We grew up playing outside, knocking on doors, and roaming freely until the streetlights came on. Today's world is more complex, more digital, and in many ways more demanding. Children spend less time outdoors not because they don't want to, but because the world around them has changed.

So perhaps this ban isn't just about protecting children — perhaps it's also an invitation for the rest of us to pause and reflect. How do we use the internet? How often do we scroll without thinking? What behaviours are we modelling to the young people in our lives?

Whether we agree with the ban or not, it raises an important question:

What does healthy online life look like — not just for children, but for all of us?