At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate

AI, social media, and online safety – where do we draw the line? In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education, technology, and government today: protecting young people online in a world where social media, AI, and digital tools are increasingly intertwined. With ministers exploring tougher measures around social media access for children, the conversation asks a surprisingly difficult question: what actually counts as social media anymore? From TikTok and Snapchat to AI chatbots, collaborative documents, YouTube, and educational platforms, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Join Craig and Dave as they discuss: ✅ The government's plans to improve online safety ✅ Whether social media bans can really work ✅ Lessons from Australia's approach ✅ The growing role of AI in education and online interaction ✅ The challenge of balancing child protection with digital literacy ✅ How potential legislation could affect schools, teachers, and learning platforms ✅ Whether educational tools could be caught up in future restrictions As former Computer Science teachers, Craig and Dave explore the real-world implications for classrooms, students, parents, and educators, while asking what practical solutions might actually make a difference. 💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts: What should count as social media in 2026? Should AI chatbots be included in age restrictions? How can we better protect young people online without limiting educational opportunities? Leave a comment and join the discussion. 🔗 Discover more teaching resources and support for Computer Science teachers at Craig'n'Dave Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face. 🔗 More from us: Website & resources – Craigndave.org Smart Revise – smartrevise.online #AtTheChalkface #OnlineSafety #SocialMedia #ArtificialIntelligence #aiineducation #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience #OnlineSafetyForChildren #EducationTechnology #CraigAndDave #Teachers #Schools #DigitalID #Education #EducationPodcast #ComputingTeacher #ComputerScienceTeacher #TeamCompSci #craigndave #TeacherSupport #EducationCommunity #UKTeachers #socialmediaban