London: The UK government has launched a public consultation on whether to introduce an Australian-style ban on social media use for children, alongside a broader set of measures aimed at strengthening online safety for minors.
The consultation will assess evidence from across the world to determine whether restricting children’s access to social media would be effective and, if adopted, how such a policy could be enforced. Ministers said they would study a range of proposals, including raising the digital age of consent and curbing design features blamed for excessive use.
As part of the review, UK ministers are set to visit Australia, which last month became the first country to ban social media for under-16s. The government said the visit would allow officials to examine how the Australian system operates in practice and what lessons could be applied in Britain.
The consultation will also explore phone curfews for children and limits on features such as streaks and infinite scrolling, which critics argue are designed to encourage prolonged use.
The move comes as governments around the world struggle to keep pace with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its impact on online safety. Concerns have intensified this month following reports that an AI chatbot produced non-consensual sexual images, including images involving children. UK authorities have already outlined plans to ban AI tools that digitally remove clothing and are working to prevent children from creating, sharing, or viewing nude images on their devices.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government wanted to ensure technology benefits children rather than exposing them to harm. She said the aim was to protect childhood, not restrict opportunity.
While the announcement did not set a specific age threshold, the government said it was considering a ban for children under a certain age and reviewing whether the current digital age of consent of 13 remains appropriate. Improved age verification measures are also under consideration.
The proposal has sparked political debate. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would impose a ban on social media for under-16s if elected, according to PA Media. She criticised the Labour-led government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing it of moving too slowly and lacking resolve.
The consultation marks the latest step in a growing global effort to rein in social media and emerging technologies amid rising concerns over their impact on children’s wellbeing.
