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UK Government Launches Consultation on Social Media Age Restrictions
The British government has launched a formal consultation on potentially banning social media access for children under 16, following in the footsteps of Australia's world-first legislation. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced the move as pressure mounts from bereaved parents, lawmakers, and child safety advocates for stricter controls on young people's online access.
The consultation will examine multiple options including introducing a social media age limit, enforcement mechanisms, restricting tech companies' access to young users' data, and limiting addictive features like infinite scrolling and 'streaks.' Ministers plan to visit Australia to study their approach firsthand, where 10 major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube face fines up to £25 million for non-compliance with the under-16 ban.
Pressure from Bereaved Parents and Politicians
The announcement comes amid strong support from Esther Ghey, mother of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, who detailed how social media exacerbated her daughter's mental health issues. 'In the case of Brianna, social media limited her ability to connect in the real world. She had real friends, but chose to live online,' Ghey wrote in a letter seen by the BBC.
Over 60 Labour MPs have also written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for a ban, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged her party would implement such restrictions if they return to power after the next election.
Australia's Groundbreaking Legislation
Australia became the first country to implement a comprehensive social media ban for under-16s in December 2025. The legislation targets major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, and X, requiring them to implement age verification measures or face substantial fines.
According to NPR, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the reform as families 'taking back power from big tech companies' and allowing children to 'have their childhood.' Early reports indicate the ban has already led to over 200,000 TikTok account deactivations in Australia.
Implementation Challenges and Criticisms
While supporters welcome the consultation as a vital step in protecting children online, critics argue such bans are too blunt an instrument and could have unintended consequences. Some experts note there's 'not strong evidence' that age-based bans are effective, while 42 child protection charities have opposed a blanket ban, arguing it treats 'symptoms, not the problem.'
Implementation challenges remain significant, particularly around age verification technology. Some children have already attempted to circumvent Australia's restrictions by drawing facial hair or using older siblings' identities.
Broader Context of Digital Media and Mental Health
The debate occurs against a backdrop of growing concern about digital media's impact on youth mental health. Research from the University of Sydney shows that while social media plays a key role in how young people form identities and maintain friendships, excessive use has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues among adolescents.
The UK government will also direct Ofsted to examine school mobile phone policies and produce screen time guidance for parents. Schools are expected to be 'phone-free by default' under the new proposals.
The consultation will gather views from parents, young people, and civil society, with a government response expected in summer 2026. As Prime Minister Starmer noted, 'No options are off the table when it comes to protecting our children online.'
