What age should a child start social media? It is a simple question without one universally correct age. A birthday alone does not tell you whether a child is ready to manage private information, cope with social pressure, question what they see or ask for help when something goes wrong. The design of the platform matters just as much as the age and maturity of the child. For families in the UK, the decision is also changing. The Government plans to prevent certain social med

The public debate is loud: social media is either “destroying childhood” or being unfairly demonized. Parents are stuck between ban it and let them roam. The evidence is quieter and more nuanced: there is no coherent scientific basis for blanket bans on digital access for children. What the research does support is age-appropriate, safeguarded access, plus clear accountability for platforms.