Read a book? Join a club? Stare at a wall? Social media alternatives for under-16s
Key takeaways
- One expert said the challenge is not to replace social media itself but to replace the things it provides.
- The clip went viral, not least because it distilled a question many parents have been asking themselves about the consequences of the government’s proposed social media ban.
- The answer, said Arran Wilson, from The Wildlife Trusts is not simply go outside, read a book or join a club. “It’s not as simple as that,” said Wilson. “We need to think about the world we’ve been raising them in.”
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The sky’s the limit? One expert said the challenge is not to replace social media itself but to replace the things it provides. Photograph: Anna Barclay/Getty Images View image in fullscreen. The sky’s the limit? One expert said the challenge is not to replace social media itself but to replace the things it provides. Photograph: Anna Barclay/Getty Images Social media Read a book? Join a club? Stare at a wall? Social media alternatives for under-16s Amid UK government proposals for a ban, experts discuss what other activities might really serve children well
Amelia HillFri 19 Jun 2026 14.20 BSTLast modified on Fri 19 Jun 2026 14.22 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWhen a Lancashire schoolgirl was asked what she would do if the proposed social media ban for under-16s came into effect, her answer hit a national nerve: “Stare at a wall,” she deadpanned.
The clip went viral, not least because it distilled a question many parents have been asking themselves about the consequences of the government’s proposed social media ban.