UK to ban social media for under-16s
The United Kingdom plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms as part of a wide-ranging effort to strengthen online safety and reduce the impact of digital services on young people, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Announced by the government on Monday, the proposed measures would prevent social media companies from offering their services to under-16s. The legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament before the end of the year, with the new rules scheduled to take effect in spring 2027.
The planned ban would apply to major social media platforms that enable user interaction and content sharing, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be covered by the restrictions.
Alongside the social media ban, the government announced additional safeguards aimed at limiting children's exposure to online risks. Under the proposals, users under 16 would be blocked from features such as livestreaming and communication with strangers across a broader range of online services, including gaming platforms. Similar protections would remain enabled by default for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Officials are also examining the possibility of introducing overnight restrictions on platform access and measures to interrupt endless scrolling for users under 18. Further details are expected in July.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government was responding to growing concerns from parents about the effects of the online environment on children. He argued that technology companies had failed to provide adequate protections and said the new rules would help return decision-making power to families.
The reforms will also extend to artificial intelligence services. AI chatbots designed to simulate romantic or sexual relationships will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18, while similar intimate functions on other AI systems will be restricted for minors.
To enforce the new regulations, the government plans to introduce stronger age verification measures and has tasked media regulator Ofcom with studying the most effective methods for confirming whether users are over 16. Ministers have also requested a review of Ofcom's enforcement capabilities and pledged to provide the regulator with additional funding to carry out its expanded responsibilities.
According to the government, 9 in 10 parents support a social media ban for children under 16, while around two-thirds of young people agree that younger teenagers should not have access to at least some social media platforms.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the Canadian government introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, aimed at strengthening protections for children online.
