British gov’t moves to ban social media for children under 16

The British government has announced plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to children under 16 to protect their well-being.

The announcement was made through a government press statement, which said the move is aimed at reducing excessive screen time and allowing children to spend more time playing and engaging in offline activities.

According to the statement, the proposed measures will mark a significant shift in online child protection policies and establish what officials described as “a new normal for future generations.”

The government said it intends to adopt a model similar to Australia’s approach, targeting user-to-user platforms that enable social interaction and allow users to post content supported by algorithms.

Under the proposed ban, platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will be prohibited from offering services to children under 16. Messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be affected.

The government said it would also introduce additional safeguards beyond the social media ban by restricting harmful online functions, including livestreaming and communication between children and strangers. The measures will extend to a wider range of online services, including gaming platforms.

Restrictions on these features will automatically apply to 16 and 17-year-olds to avoid what the government described as a “cliff-edge” once children turn 16. Authorities are also considering overnight curfews and mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling for users under 18 and are expected to provide further details in July.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said parents are increasingly concerned about the impact of the online environment on their children.

“Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever,” he said.

“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.”

He added that the government was taking unprecedented action to address the issue.

“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back,” Starmer said.

“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”

The measures will also require AI “romantic companion” chatbots designed to simulate intimate relationships to enforce a minimum age limit of 18. Similar features on AI chatbots will be restricted for users under 18.

The government described the proposals as a decisive first step that prioritises children’s wellbeing and said it remains prepared to introduce further measures in the future.