UK Considers Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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The UK government is seriously exploring a bold shift in how young people engage with social media, including the possibility of banning children under 16 from using major social platforms, similar to a new law introduced in Australia.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made it clear that "no option is off the table" as ministers look at ways to better protect children from the mental health risks, addictive features and harmful content that critics say social media can expose them to.

What's Being Proposed?

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The idea under discussion would ban children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, going beyond existing age limits, which normally have allowed teenagers since the age of 13 to join by way of meagre checks. As such, it might affect platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and other major teen outlets.

Officials are planning to visit Australia to study how that country's age ban works in practice before deciding what the UK should do. They are also looking at restricting addictive features, such as infinite scrolling, and encouraging better age verification across platforms.

Why This Is on the Table

The alarm over social media and young people has surged in recent years, from obsessive scrolling and anxiety tied to online validation, to exposure to harmful content and even AI-generated material involving minors. Parents, teachers, and children's advocates have been pushing for stronger safeguards, not just digital literacy programs.

Over 60 lawmakers from the Labour Party have called on the government to adopt a minimum age of 16 for social media, citing that previous attempts haven't been enough to deal with the negative impacts of such unregulated online spaces.

High-profile figures like actor Hugh Grant and campaigners including the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey have publicly backed calls for a ban, adding pressure ahead of a key vote in the House of Lords.

Pushback and Debate

Not everyone is of the opinion that a complete ban is what would work. Some critics, including charities concerned with the welfare of youth, refer to the Australia-style approach as extreme or "retrograde." They say it could push young people toward unregulated corners of the internet or punish the use of technology instead of making platforms safer for everyone.

There is also debate on the practicality such a ban would have, how well it could be enforced, or whether it might infringe on young people's freedom to communicate and learn online. For some, teaching critical digital skills and enforcing rules for safer platforms may go further than an outright restriction.

What Happens Next

The government is currently holding a public consultation on online safety. This public consultation is set to contribute to the determination of the online safety policy. A response to the consultation is due to be made this summer, and the House of Lords will be voting on legislation pertaining to child safety online.

Whether or not a pathway is chosen in the UK, what is currently being discussed is bringing social media regulation, among other issues related to youngster safety, to head the agenda for technology policy.