London: The United Kingdom has announced plans to ban social media access for children under the age of 16, joining a growing list of countries introducing stricter online safety measures to protect minors from harmful digital content and interactions.
The move, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aligns Britain with countries such as Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia, which have already introduced or proposed similar restrictions.
UK To Adopt ‘Australia-Plus’ Model
According to reports, the UK plans to implement an “Australia-plus” framework that goes beyond existing restrictions in Australia.
The proposed measures include:
- Banning social media access for users under 16.
- Restricting livestreaming features on certain platforms.
- Preventing minors from communicating with strangers through gaming applications.
- Considering social media curfews for children and teenagers.
- Introducing additional safeguards around chatbots and online interactions.
The final details are expected to be released next month following a three-month public consultation.
Starmer Calls It A ‘World-Leading’ Initiative
Announcing the proposal, Starmer described online child safety as one of the most important issues facing modern societies.
He argued that governments must prioritise the wellbeing of children and families over maintaining the current digital environment, which critics say exposes young users to harmful content, cyberbullying, online predators and addictive platform features.
The British Prime Minister said the proposed framework could become one of the strongest child online protection systems in the world.
Growing Global Movement
The UK’s decision reflects a broader international trend toward tighter regulation of children’s online activities.
Countries including:
- Canada
- Brazil
- France
- Spain
- Denmark
- Thailand
- South Korea
have either introduced, proposed or are considering age-based restrictions on social media platforms.
Governments worldwide are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, sleep patterns, academic performance and online safety.
Platforms Likely To Be Affected
Reports indicate the restrictions could apply to major social media and content-sharing platforms, including:
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Threads
- Twitch
Additional restrictions may also affect certain gaming and communication features used by children.
Public Consultation Draws Massive Response
The proposal follows a nationwide consultation that reportedly attracted around 116,000 submissions from parents, children, educators, technology companies and advocacy groups.
Officials said the response was among the largest received for any UK public consultation in recent years, highlighting the growing public concern about children’s online experiences.
Conclusion
The UK’s planned under-16 social media ban marks one of the most significant attempts yet to regulate children’s digital access. While supporters argue the move will improve safety and mental wellbeing, critics are expected to raise questions about enforcement, privacy and the practical challenges of verifying users’ ages online.