Columnist

What next when social media career help goes?

The Government’s intention to ban social media access for under-16s has reignited debate around young people’s online lives.

Much of the discussion has rightly focused on mental health, online safety and protecting children from harmful content.

But there’s another side to this conversation that deserves attention: careers education.

For many young people, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have become far more than entertainment.

They’ve evolved into powerful discovery tools, introducing teenagers to careers, employers and opportunities they may never have encountered in the classroom.

At Smart Start Careers, most of the young people we reach through social media are aged 16 to 18 – those actively considering apprenticeships, college, sixth form or employment.

By that stage, they’re already making life-changing decisions.

But if younger teenagers no longer have access to the platforms where careers content naturally appears, what happens before they reach that point?

A quick search for #apprenticeships or #CareerTok can surface thousands of videos from apprentices, employers and careers advisers, while YouTube’s ‘day in the life’ clips help a Year Nine student picture what a role involves before they have even spoken to a careers adviser.

It’s a challenge businesses need to start thinking about now.

Generation Alpha and younger Gen Z are digital natives; they consume information differently to previous generations.

They expect short, authentic and visual content, rather than lengthy brochures or formal presentations.

If social media becomes less accessible for under-16s, employers can’t simply assume these young people will discover opportunities elsewhere.

Social media has helped make careers feel real through authentic stories from apprentices, graduates and employees.

That is especially important for young people who may not have parents, relatives or family friends working across a wide range of professions.

Social media has also played a key role in breaking down stereotypes.

We’ve seen female engineers, young construction apprentices, digital professionals and healthcare workers sharing their journeys, helping young people understand that there isn’t just one route to success.

Of course, there are genuine benefits to tighter regulation.

Algorithms don’t always present balanced information.

Careers advice delivered by influencers isn’t always accurate and social media can contribute to unrealistic expectations, misinformation and unhealthy comparisons.

Protecting children’s wellbeing online must remain a priority.

Reducing screen time may also encourage more meaningful conversations with teachers, careers advisers and parents, who can provide personalised guidance, rather than one-size-fits-all content.

But if restrictions are introduced, we also need to ask how employers will engage with tomorrow’s workforce.

Businesses already face skills shortages across many sectors, and if one of the most effective communication channels disappears for under-16s, employers will need new ways to build awareness.

That could mean investing more in school partnerships, workplace visits, careers fairs, ambassador programmes and interactive learning experiences.

It could also mean developing digital careers content that schools can safely access in the classroom.

We must be prepared to rethink how we inspire youngsters if the platforms where they’ve always discovered careers are no longer available.

Joanne Leniewski is the founder and chief executive of Hexham-based Smart Start Careers

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