UK may ban social media for children under 16
Original: UK may ban social media for children under 16
Why This Matters
Major regulatory shift could reshape social media industry and child safety policies globally
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a social media ban for children under 16, following Australia's model. The ban would cover platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and others.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce a social media ban for children under 16 in a speech on Monday, according to the Guardian and Financial Times. The ban follows Australia's model, covering TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads, Snapchat, Twitch, and Kick. Gaming apps wouldn't be banned outright but must remove features like chatting with strangers for younger users. The policy would also prohibit users under 18 from accessing romantic and sexual chatbots and prevent late-night scrolling. The government can use existing regulatory powers for enforcement, though new legislation may be required. The move comes amid growing concerns about social media's impact on children, including cases like murdered teen Brianna Ghey, whose eating disorder and self-harm were reportedly worsened by harmful online content.