The UK is preparing new restrictions on social media use for children and young people, with the measures described as ending what the government calls a “system failing our kids.” According to BBC reporting, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to ban under-16s from major social media platforms. The Guardian frames the policy as an “Australia plus” approach, citing Australia’s earlier restrictions as a model, while indicating the UK will implement its own version of age-based limits.
The BBC also reports that the government expects technology companies to have had sufficient time to prepare for the changes, with a related comment attributed to a minister ahead of the announcement. Additional details cited by The Times include plans for a curfew on social media use for teens and a ban on the use of chatbots. The Telegraph says enforcement is expected to involve face-scan technology to check age.
Together, the coverage describes a package of age gating plus supplementary measures aimed at limiting minors’ access to social media content and features, with implementation and compliance obligations placed on platform providers.
