IPA Director General, Paul Bainsfair, has responded to the Government's decision to ban social media for under-16s, saying that the primary challenge is how those platforms are 'structured, supervised and held to account'.
Says Paul Bainsfair, Director General, IPA:
“To the extent such a measure will affect advertising to under-16s on social media, the UK is already subject to extensive and robust regulation under the CAP Code, with strict rules on content, targeting and placement across all media, including online.
In our assessment, the primary challenge is not simply whether young people can access platforms, but how those platforms are structured, supervised and held to account.
The IPA Legal & Public Affairs team advises members on a variety of topics, including social media advertising.
View their existing guidance or get in touch.
Last updated 15 June 2026