The consultation is part of an attempt to “kickstart national conversation” on the impact of technology on children’s wellbeing, with events to be held nationwide to gather views on the subject.

The consultation will look at options including raising the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews to avoid excessive use and restricting potentially addictive design features such as ‘streaks’ and ‘infinite scrolling’.  

Calls for social media restrictions for children in the UK have grown recently, with Australia having implemented a ban for social media access among under-16s at the end of last year.

On Sunday, more than 60 Labour MPs signed an open letter calling for the government to follow Australia’s example to protect young people from social media platforms.

The consultation will seek views on issues such as what the right age is for children to access social media, how minimum age limits could be enforced, how to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences on social media and limiting addictive features.

Immediate action will include Ofsted checking school mobile phone policy on every inspection, with schools expected to be phone-free by default.

Evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged between five and 16 will also be produced, with guidance for under-fives to be published in April.

Liz Kendall, technology secretary, said: “Technology has huge potential – to create jobs, transform public services, and improve lives. But we will only seize on that potential if people know they and their children are safe online.

“We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them – and to give every child the childhood they deserve.”

Bridget Phillipson, education secretary, added: “We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.”