UK to impose social media restrictions on under-16s, ministers confirm
UK government has confirmed that children under 16 will face new social media restrictions
The UK government has confirmed that children under 16 will face new social media restrictions, with ministers pledging to introduce age-based or functionality limits aimed at reducing young users’ exposure to harmful and addictive online content.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government is determined to act but wants to ensure any policy adopted is “effective” before implementation.
Her remarks come after junior education minister Olivia Bailey told Parliament that some form of restriction would be introduced regardless of whether ministers ultimately choose a full social media ban.
The move follows months of pressure from the House of Lords and child-safety campaigners, who repeatedly pushed for an Australian-style blanket ban on under-16s using social platforms.
Instead of immediately backing a full prohibition, the government has amended the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to give ministers powers to impose restrictions after an ongoing public consultation ends on May 26.
Officials are now considering a range of measures, including stricter age verification, curfews, limits on addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and possible controls on access to AI chatbots and gaming-linked services.
Ministers say the current online environment is no longer sustainable for children and that tech companies must be pushed to do more than offer voluntary safety tools.
The issue has gained urgency amid growing concerns over screen addiction, harmful recommendation algorithms and the mental health effects of excessive social media use.
Online reaction to the government’s pledge has been mixed, with many parents welcoming action while others questioned whether ministers had already decided on restrictions before the consultation concludes.
Critics on Reddit described the process as “consultation after the decision,” while supporters argued that stronger digital safeguards for children are long overdue.
If approved after its final passage through Parliament, the bill would give the government authority to begin drafting detailed regulations later this year.