UK Moves Toward Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The UK government is considering introducing a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16, alongside tighter regulation of artificial intelligence chatbots, as part of efforts to respond more quickly to digital risks.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has launched a consultation on the proposed ban and is working to amend legislation so that new rules could be implemented within months after the process concludes.

Officials are also seeking to close a regulatory loophole in the Online Safety Act that currently excludes one-to-one interactions with AI chatbots from safety oversight. Authorities have raised concerns about young users forming close interactions with AI systems that were not designed with child protection in mind.

Technology minister Liz Kendall said new proposals would be presented before June and confirmed that tech companies would be responsible for ensuring compliance with UK law.

Additional measures under consideration include restrictions on “stranger pairing” in online gaming, limits on the exchange of explicit content, and enhanced digital evidence preservation in cases involving minors.

The proposals follow growing global scrutiny of digital platforms and AI tools amid rising concerns over their impact on children’s wellbeing and online safety.