What do new online safety measures mean for schools and colleges?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement of sweeping new online safety reforms has major implications for schools, safeguarding teams, and anyone working with children. While headlines have focused on the proposed ban on social media for under-16s, the wider package signals a significant shift in how the UK expects schools and tech companies to protect young people online.

The government’s plan to ban social media access for under-16s will inevitably place schools at the centre of enforcement, education, and parental communication. Although platforms will be legally required to introduce robust age-verification systems, schools will still be expected to:

reinforce the new rules through PSHE, RSE, and digital literacy
update online safety policies and filtering/monitoring systems
support parents in understanding the changes
manage the safeguarding implications for students who attempt to bypass restrictions

With legislation expected before Christmas and implementation by Spring 2027, schools will need to begin preparing well ahead of time.

Why this matters for education

The government’s consultation, which included responses from over 116,000 parents, highlighted key issues:

pupils arriving tired due to late-night scrolling
increased anxiety, low mood, and body-image concerns
exposure to harmful content, including self-harm and misogyny
online bullying spilling into the classroom
distraction and reduced focus during lessons

Starmer’s message was blunt: social media is making children “unhappy and unsafe”. For schools, this aligns with what many DSLs and pastoral teams have been reporting for years.

Key measures schools should be aware of

Ban on social media for under-16s

This will require schools to:

update acceptable use agreements
reinforce expectations during assemblies and tutor time
support parents with guidance on managing devices at home

Livestreaming blocked for under-16s

This affects platforms like TikTok, Instagram Live, Twitch, and gaming apps.

Schools may need to:

review any curriculum areas that use livestreaming
ensure pupils understand the risks of real-time broadcasting
update safeguarding training for staff

Curfews and scrolling limits for under-18s

These measures aim to reduce late-night device use — a major contributor to poor sleep and reduced academic performance.

Schools will likely be expected to:

integrate this into wellbeing and mental-health education
support families in establishing healthy digital routines

Restrictions on AI “companion” chatbots

AI chatbots with romantic or intimate features will be restricted to over-18s.

For educators, this means:

updating online safety lessons to include AI literacy
helping pupils understand the risks of emotional dependency on AI
ensuring staff are aware of emerging technologies

Blocking nude image creation, sharing, and viewing for under-18s

This is one of the most significant changes for safeguarding.

Tech companies will be required to activate detection tools on devices used by children. For schools, this could:

reduce incidents of image-based bullying
support DSLs in managing sexting cases
require updates to child-on-child abuse policies

What This Means for DSLs and Safeguarding Leads

These reforms will place even greater emphasis on proactive digital safeguarding. DSLs should begin planning for:

policy updates aligned with the new legislation
staff training on AI, livestreaming, and device-based detection tools
parent workshops on the upcoming changes
curriculum updates for PSHE, RSE, and computing
reviewing filtering and monitoring systems to ensure compliance

Challenges and concerns for schools and colleges

Not everyone is convinced the measures will be easy to implement. Some concerns raised include:

pupils turning to VPNs or unregulated platforms
increased pressure on schools to police behaviour outside school hours
the risk of widening the digital divide
the need for significant staff training and updated resources
Bereaved parents, including Ian Russell, have warned that the reforms must address harmful algorithms — not just access.

In conclusion, Starmer’s announcement marks a major turning point for online safety in education. Schools have long been on the frontline of managing the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing. As the legislation progresses, the education sector will need clarity, resources, and support. It highlights the importance of online safety to the wellbeing of children and young people. Best for Training | Accredited Training & Course Specialists