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Paul Givan underscores concern over social media's impact on youth amid proposed UK-wide public consultation for regulation.
Education Minister Paul Givan has shown his sympathy toward proposals for banning social media for users under 16 in Northern Ireland. The topic has traction following Australia’s decision to ban children from various platforms including Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Givan made it clear that any legislative change would fall to Westminster as the regulation of social media is not within Stormont's powers. He noted that the Democratic Unionist Party leadership has not yet reached a definitive policy decision on the matter.
In September 2025, Givan initiated a phone ban pilot program in nine Northern Ireland schools aiming to limit smartphone access for students during school hours. “I introduced a clear policy for all schools that we shouldn't have smartphones being accessed in our post-primary settings from when you arrive in school until you leave school,” Givan stated in a recent interview with BBC News NI’s Sunday Politics. The pilot program has been reported as "very beneficial" by participating schools with educators recognizing the significant distractions that mobile phones can pose.
Fiona Kane, principal at St Ronan's College has remarked that the scheme has “transformed learning and teaching” highlighting the disruptive nature of phones during lessons. The Australian government's ban currently targets ten specific platforms enforcing strict measures to ensure compliance. Social media companies face hefty fines for serious or repeated breaches and are required to adopt "reasonable steps" to prevent young users from accessing their platforms. While the UK considers its next steps the conversation around technology's role in education continues to evolve.
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