A coalition of 70 organisations, including The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s, Action for Children and the NASUWT, has signed a joint letter, coordinated by Internet Matters and the Molly Rose Foundation, calling for media literacy to be a core part of education

They want a national framework from primary through to post 16, saying PSHE teaching is currently inconsistent and unequal, with risks of wider inequalities for children from lower income households

The letter calls for funded staff training, free resources adapted for children with additional needs, and support to engage parents and carers, ahead of curriculum changes in September 2028

It argues a social media ban alone cannot protect children, and that media literacy should not replace strong regulation

Internet Matters chief executive Rachel Huggins said a ban “may change where children spend their time online”, but won’t prepare young people for adult digital life