UK to ban under-16s from high-risk social media apps
10 reported3 unconfirmed
The UK government plans to ban teenagers under 16 from accessing “high-risk” social media apps and impose restrictions on safer platforms, according to a report. Under-18s will also be banned from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots following a consultation on child online safety. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to outline the plans on Monday, though specific platforms subject to the under-16 ban will be announced later. The government received over 116,000 responses to the consultation, with nine out of 10 parents supporting an under-16 ban. Sources warned the government faces the threat of judicial review over its decision to ban some platforms but not others. One source described the post-consultation outcome as arriving too quickly, while another said the prime minister had been clear that action needed to be a “gamechanger.” The ban raises questions about age verification, as the Online Safety Act currently requires platforms offering pornography or self-harm content to verify users are over 18.
What’s reported
Under-16s will be banned from “high-risk” social media apps.
Under-18s will be banned from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots.
Restrictions on “safe” apps include banning under-16s from disappearing messages, chats with adult strangers, and livestreaming.
The government received more than 116,000 responses to the consultation, which closed on 2 June.
Nine out of 10 parents expressed support for an under-16 ban.
A Downing Street source said the prime minister wanted the action to be a “gamechanger.”
A senior government figure denied reports that No 10 was still debating what constituted “social media” at the 11th hour.
A source close to the process described the outcome as “very rushed” and said “the prospect of multiple judicial reviews seems high.”
Mark Jones, a partner at Payne Hicks Beach, said the speed of the decision was not sufficient grounds to succeed with a legal challenge.
In Australia, an under-16 social media ban applies to services allowing social interaction between two or more users and posting material.
Open questions
Which specific platforms will face an under-16 ban.
How age verification will work in practice.
Whether the government will face judicial reviews over the ban.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
Liz Kendall, technology secretary
Mark Jones, partner at Payne Hicks Beach law firm
Sources: The Guardian
