Key facts
- The UK government will ban individuals under 16 from accessing "high-risk" social media applications.
- Under-18s will be prohibited from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots.
- Safer social media platforms will face restrictions, including bans on disappearing messages and contact with unknown adults.
- The government received significant public support for the proposed ban.
- The announcement follows a rapid consultation process and may face legal challenges.
The UK government is set to announce a significant crackdown on social media use by minors, including a ban on individuals under 16 accessing "high-risk" applications. The measures, expected to be detailed next week, will also restrict features on safer platforms for this age group, such as disappearing messages and contact with unknown adults. Furthermore, under-18s will be prohibited from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots.
The swift announcement follows a public consultation that closed on June 2, receiving over 116,000 responses, with nine out of ten parents expressing support for an under-16 ban. Government sources indicate the prime minister views the action as a "game-changer" rather than incremental. Despite assurances that the plans are well-thought-out, concerns linger about potential judicial reviews, particularly regarding the definition of "social media" and the distinction between banned and restricted platforms.
Legal experts suggest that challenges based on the speed of the decision alone may not succeed, as judicial reviews focus on the legality and fairness of the process rather than the merits of the outcome. However, the implementation of the ban will necessitate robust age verification methods, a complex issue that could lead to increased data collection by tech platforms and raise privacy concerns. Companies like Meta are reportedly exploring more advanced age-verification technologies.