School clubs boost as social media ban nears

Sunday, June 14, 2026

The UK government is investing £132.5 million in after-school clubs to provide children under 16 with more extracurricular options as it prepares to introduce a social media ban for this age group. This funding aims to support young people's mental health by fostering social interaction and skill development outside of digital environments, while Ofsted will begin evaluating schools on their enrichment activities.

The UK government has announced a £132.5 million investment in after-school clubs as preparations continue for a planned social media ban targeting under-16s. The funding aims to support a variety of extracurricular activities designed to engage children outside of digital platforms and foster skill development.

Under the initiative, schools may offer a broad range of programs, including music ensembles, engineering clubs, debating societies, and sports teams such as football. The government’s move reflects growing concerns over the mental health and social well-being of young people, who, despite being highly connected online, increasingly report feelings of isolation.

The decision follows findings from the recent State of the Nation survey, which surveyed more than 14,000 young people across the country. The results highlighted a paradox in modern youth culture: while digital connectivity is unprecedented, many young people experience significant loneliness and detachment from face-to-face interactions.

In addition to funding the clubs, the government has indicated that Ofsted will incorporate an assessment of schools’ enrichment activities within its evaluation framework for personal development. This change is intended to encourage schools to broaden their extracurricular offerings and place greater emphasis on supporting students’ social skills and mental health.

Ministers argue that providing alternatives to social media and digital engagement will help mitigate some of the harms associated with prolonged screen time and online interaction. The timing of the funding boost aligns with ongoing discussions about implementing a legal ban on social media access for children under 16, a measure aimed at protecting young people from potential online risks.

The government has framed this package as part of a wider strategy to enhance young people’s well-being and resilience. While details regarding the precise rollout of the social media restrictions remain under consideration, the investment in after-school programs marks a significant step toward addressing the challenges posed by the digital landscape for today’s youth.