Published: January 21, 2026 at 1:54 pm
A prominent lawyer and gaming industry expert has warned parents and policymakers that unrestricted access to video games may carry the same risk of harm as social media platforms, amid increasing calls for regulation for under-16s.
Zohaib Hashim, founder and CEO of Manchester media and entertainment specialist Blackmont Legal, said that if the UK proceeds with a ban or significant restrictions on social media for children, video games should not be overlooked unless reforms are introduced.
Parliament is currently considering amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would see an outright ban on social media access for under-16s.
Hashim pointed out that many popular games now serve as social media platforms in their own right, with in-game messaging, voice chat and online communities forming a core part of the user experience for young players.
“If the aim of an under-16 ban is child protection, then we need to open up a conversation about the potential harms of video games,” he said.
“Communication within games is often less visible, less regulated and more persistent than on traditional social media.”