We’re told that new interest in compact point-and-shoot cameras is being fuelled by teenagers and other young people, rather than nostalgia from their parents (who are probably using phones now anyway). We’re also told the massive growth in sales of compacts is due to social media influencers on sites like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
That’s led me to wonder what may happen if the UK Government follows through with expected plans to blanket ban social media for everyone under 16 [BBC], following the pioneering actions of the Australian government, where a ban has been in place since December 2025.
The UK Government has already leant on tech giants to do more to protect young people from seeing potentially harmful content and adult images. But if it soon goes further and those 16 or under are no longer seeing the social media posts of online influencers and their favourite K-Pop stars, promoting compact cameras as lifestyle accessories, might that stop the recent compact resurgence in its tracks?
Beat the ban, or embrace it?
Another, counter argument could be made to suggest a social media ban might have the opposite effect on the photo trade and actively boost camera sales. As, lured away from their smartphones, our nation’s youth might seek out another screen-focused device via which to plug that loss of dopamine hit, via which they’ll still be able to amass a load of selfies.
While the above may read as more fanciful, current opinion does suggest that another reason for compact cameras’ rising popularity is that teens are actively seeking to disconnect from their phones and seek a hobby that enables them to be more ‘present’. Most teens are savvy enough to have wised up to social media’s addictive nature and, even without government edicts, some will have been looking to do something to help achieve a better mental balance already.
Or perhaps, if there is a UK Government block on social media for teens in the coming weeks, what occurs is we get a mixture of the two happening – whereby any potential drop in sales is made up by new adopters and thereby the status quo prevails. I hope of course, that into the bargain our children are safer online, better in terms of their mental health, and free from the social pressures that they should only have to deal with when adults. With approximately 90% of parents who responded to a recent government consultation backing a ban, at the time of writing it feels more like a question of when, not if, such a measure is implemented. As the knock-on effects subsequently play out, it will be interesting to see what else changes.
Related reading:
- Compact camera vs Yashica City 300 vs smartphone – which takes the best photos?
- The best cameras for kids and teens – my top 12 best kids cameras
- Best keychain toy camera? I try four cheap digital toy cameras, so you don’t have to!
The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have an opinion you’d like to share on this topic, or any other photography related subject, email: [email protected]
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