Key facts
- The UK is considering a ban on social media for individuals under 16.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the policy soon.
- Australia was the first country to ban social media for under-16s.
- Several European countries have implemented or are considering similar age restrictions.
- US legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act aims to increase protections for minors on social media platforms.
The UK government is reportedly considering a ban on social media access for individuals under 16, a move that would align with a growing global trend of countries implementing stricter regulations on tech platforms to protect minors.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the policy, which could be more prohibitive than Australia's model, potentially including restrictions on features like chatbots and late-night scrolling. Australia became the first country to enact such a ban in December, requiring platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to block users under 16, with penalties for non-compliance reaching up to A$49.5 million.
Several European nations are also moving to curb children's social media access. Denmark and Norway are considering raising the age limit to 15, while France has approved legislation to ban children under 15. Germany allows minors aged 13-16 to use social media with parental consent, and Greece is close to announcing a ban for under-15s. Italy requires parental consent for users under 14, and Spain plans to implement age verification systems for minors under 16. Poland and Slovenia are drafting laws to prohibit social media use for those under 15, and Turkey has passed legislation banning use by children under 15.
In the United States, legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act is gaining traction, aiming to compel social media companies to implement 'reasonable care' in designing features that could harm minors. The European Union is also exploring stronger protections through its planned Digital Fairness Act, targeting addictive and harmful design practices, with the European Parliament having previously called for an EU-wide ban on access for children under 16 without parental consent.
Tech companies, including TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat, generally state that users must be at least 13 to sign up, but child protection advocates argue these controls are insufficient, with many children under 13 reportedly having accounts.