The UK government is moving towards stricter regulations for young people’s access to social media, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowing to enforce a crackdown on smartphone use by those under 16. The proposed measures, slated for consultation in March, aim to enhance online safety and address growing concerns about harm to children.
Government Plans: Banning Access, Restricting Features
The government is exploring a ban on under-16s from accessing social media platforms, including restrictions on addictive features like infinite scrolling. These proposals extend to preventing children from using VPNs to bypass age restrictions and limiting their interaction with AI chatbots, particularly in light of concerns about deepfake imagery and exploitation.
Specifically, ministers are targeting loopholes that allow chatbots to generate inappropriate content, such as sexually explicit deepfakes, and plan to enforce stricter compliance with the existing Online Safety Act. Amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the Crime and Policing Bill will be used to expedite legal changes as online behaviors evolve.
The Australian Model: A Potential Blueprint
The UK may draw inspiration from Australia, which implemented a world-first ban on social media for under-16s in December 2023. This legislation requires major platforms—including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter)—to lock out young users or face hefty fines of up to £26.5 million.
Enforcement relies on a combination of age estimation tools, including behavior analysis, selfie verification, and potentially even identity or banking details. The ban is expected to affect over a million accounts.
Criticism and Concerns
The proposed ban has drawn criticism from young users, with many expressing dismay at being cut off from social platforms. Some parents’ groups and child safety advocates have welcomed the measures, while tech companies and civil liberties organizations warn of privacy infringements, age falsification, and a potential shift towards riskier platforms.
Social media firms acknowledge that under-16s contribute little to advertising revenue but warn that the ban disrupts the pipeline of future users. Recent data indicates that 86% of Australian children aged 8-15 used social media before the ban took effect, suggesting the measure could significantly alter digital habits.
Enforcement challenges remain, as early testing in Australia revealed platforms were slow to fully implement the restrictions, with some underage accounts still active hours after the law came into force.
The move underscores a growing trend toward tighter regulation of children’s digital lives, driven by mounting evidence of online harms. However, balancing safety with freedom of access and privacy remains a significant challenge for policymakers.
