London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to unveil a major online safety package that could impose one of the world's toughest restrictions on children's access to social media, amid growing concerns over harmful content and excessive screen time.
The proposed measures are expected to go beyond Australia's widely discussed social media ban for children under 16 and form part of what Starmer has described as a “world-leading” effort to protect young people online.
According to reports, the restrictions would prevent children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick and Reddit. Additional measures could include limits on chatbot access, restrictions on certain gaming app features and a digital curfew aimed at reducing late-night social media use among older teenagers.
The announcement comes after an extensive public consultation that attracted more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and technology companies. Officials said support for an under-16 ban was widespread, including among younger respondents.
In a statement ahead of the announcement, Starmer said protecting children online had become one of the defining policy challenges of the modern era. He framed the move as a choice between supporting families and maintaining a system that many believe is failing to keep children safe.
The United Kingdom would join a growing list of countries seeking stricter regulation of children's online activity. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced or proposed age-based restrictions, while several European and Asian nations are exploring similar frameworks.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said a social media ban should be viewed as part of a broader package of online safety measures rather than a standalone solution. She pointed to Australia's experience as evidence that age-based restrictions can play an important role in protecting young users.
The proposals could, however, spark fresh tensions with the United States. American officials have previously expressed concerns that broad online regulations could conflict with free speech principles and place additional compliance burdens on US-based technology firms.
Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of blanket bans. Jon Crowcroft, a communications systems professor at the University of Cambridge, warned that restrictions could push some children toward less regulated online spaces while proving difficult to enforce technically.
The government is expected to provide further details on implementation and enforcement when the policy is formally announced.
(With agency inputs from PTI)