Government to Implement Social Media Measures for Under-16s
New social media regulations targeting users under the age of 16 are set to be introduced by the end of this year, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced as the government consultation on the issue concludes.
Among the options under consideration is a complete ban on social media use for children, similar to measures adopted in Australia. Kendall indicated that the government’s response to the consultation would be published in the summer, with implementation planned by year-end.
Campaigners remain divided on whether an outright ban on social media apps for children is the most effective approach.
Since March, the government has sought input from parents and children regarding potential measures such as app curfews and enhanced age verification processes to improve online safety. These measures have also been trialled in select UK households.
"The question isn't whether we're going to act - we will," Kendall told the BBC.
The government is examining a wide range of issues and platform features to assess their impact on children.
This review may extend to platforms not covered by Australia's restrictions, including Roblox and Discord.
Kendall emphasized the importance of considering all perspectives from the consultation, which closes at the end of Tuesday.
"We've got to get this right, and we've got to make it last," she added.
The consultation has attracted 70,000 submissions from charities, campaign groups, and members of the public, offering views on a ban or alternative interventions.
Potential restrictions under consideration include night-time curfews and disabling features such as auto-play and infinite scroll.
Respondents were also asked to provide opinions on children's access to AI chatbots and whether enforcement of age verification should be strengthened.
Support and Opposition to Social Media Restrictions
Some groups support a ban, including police leaders who have stated that any platform failing to remove certain features should be prohibited for under-16s.
Ellen Roome, whose son Jools died at age 14 in 2022, is among bereaved families and campaigners scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday. They will urge the government to promptly raise the age of access for social media platforms deemed harmful to 16.
"Later today, I, and other families who have lost children to social media, will tell the prime minister directly: social media is a product, and like any other faulty product causing the deaths of children, it should be restricted until the companies responsible have fixed it and proven it is safe," Ellen said.
Lord Nash, a former Conservative education minister, conveyed a clear message to the government regarding its commitment to tackle social media harms.
"The government gave a commitment to Parliament that they would introduce some form of age or functionality restriction on social media for children under 16. Deliver on that commitment fully and in the shortest possible timeframe."
Conversely, other campaigners argue that restricting social media access would not benefit children.
Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of Australia's law after reports emerged of children accessing sites supposedly blocked for under-16s.
Ian Russell, chair of the online safety charity the Molly Rose Foundation, has previously advocated for enforcing existing laws rather than implementing "sledgehammer techniques like bans."
An open letter signed by child safety charities recommended that the government require tech firms to align with the British Board of Film Classification, which sets film age ratings, to protect teenagers "in line with the same high standards applied to film released in UK cinemas."
Health Concerns and Medical Community Input
The UK's senior medical professionals, represented by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, have also called for action on social media use among young people due to its serious health impacts.
In their submission to the government consultation, they compared the threat posed by social media to that of smoking and suggested that doctors should routinely inquire about screen time and social media use during consultations with younger patients.
However, there is no consensus within the broader scientific community that screen time overall is harmful to children.
Industry Responses and Government Resolve
It remains unclear which technology platforms have responded to the government's consultation or their positions on potential social media bans for under-16s in the UK.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has stated its preference for age verification to be conducted at the device level, which would prevent underage children from downloading certain apps.
Kendall affirmed her commitment to proceed with action regardless of resistance from major technology companies.
"No one's going to stop me from doing what I think is right for this country," she said.
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