Published: 16 Sep 2026
The British Board of Film Classification and its partners, many of whom are members of its Safer Screens Forum, have written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) urging the Government not to lose momentum on social media regulation.
BBFC research shows that more than eight out of ten (81%) parents with a child aged 15-17 would feel more comfortable with their child using social media if they knew that the content they could see did not exceed what is allowed in a 15-rated film.
As ministers, parliamentarians, and policy experts converge for party conference season, signatories have asked: do not leave older teenagers behind.
The BBFC looks forward to the opportunity to discuss the issues raised at the next Safer Screens Forum later in the year.
The joint statement, signed by the BBFC, Barnardo’s, Molly Rose Foundation, NSPCC and other leading charities, civil society bodies, and public interest organisations can be read in full here.
The BBFC is independent and not-for-profit, and here to help everyone in the UK - especially children and families - choose age-appropriate films, videos and websites, wherever and however they watch or use them. Now, as well as classifying films released in UK cinemas and on DVD and Blu-ray, the BBFC provides age-ratings for Video On Demand and music videos online, and helps mobile phone operators set parental controls at the right level. Please visit bbfc.co.uk for further information.
For media enquiries, please contact: press@bbfc.co.uk
Online research was conducted on behalf of BBFC by OnePoll between 17 and 23 March, 2026.
2,000 parents of children aged 12-17 were interviewed.
Data splits were provided based on: age, gender and region
Key findings, previously published here, showed:
Children aged 12–17 spend an average of 17h 35m online per week, with 30% spending 11–20 hours and one in twenty exceeding 40 hours.
55% of parents say harmful or inappropriate content is their main concern regarding their child’s well-being and development, with bullying (40%) and social pressures (37%) also prominent.
65% are concerned about their child’s social media use; among them, top worries are inappropriate content (34%), screen time (25%), and contact from strangers (17%).
70% feel confident they know what their child sees online, including 14% who say they are very confident. However, 28% are not confident.
34% have been told by their child about inappropriate or upsetting content; this most often involves violence (47%), hate speech (42%), or sexual content (40%).
Among parents not told directly, 48% still believe their child has seen age‑inappropriate material. Of parents that have been told by their child or believe that their child has seen age-inappropriate material on social media, 11% think this happens daily, 32% believe it occurs several times a week, and 10% said once a week.
Only 37% believe social media platforms do enough to protect children. However, 59% are not confident, including 22% not confident at all.
49% feel platforms are transparent about their content standards, while 51% believe that they are not transparent.
Support for BBFC involvement is high: 86% would support a formal partnership, and 73% would be more likely to let their child use a platform working with the BBFC, including 34% who said much more likely.
Of parents with a child aged 12-14, almost nine in ten (87%) would feel more comfortable with their child using social media if they knew the content they could see did not exceed what is allowed in a 12A-rated film.
Of parents with a child aged 15-17, more than eight in ten (81%) would feel more comfortable with their child using social media if they knew the content they could see did not exceed what is allowed in a 15-rated film.
