The United Kingdom is considering an Australian-style social media ban for children under 16, with legislation that could be introduced as early as this year to address growing digital safety concerns. The government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a public consultation last month on restricting under-16 access to social media platforms and is now preparing legal amendments that would allow swift implementation once the consultation concludes.
The proposal follows international momentum for stricter online child protection laws. Australia became the first country to pass a nationwide ban blocking social media access for users under 16, prompting countries such as Spain, Greece and Slovenia to explore similar measures. The UK government aims to respond more quickly to emerging digital risks, particularly those linked to artificial intelligence chatbots and youth online safety.
Scrutiny intensified after Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok was reported to have generated non-consensual sexualised images, raising broader concerns about AI regulation and content moderation. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government is determined to close regulatory gaps, particularly those affecting one-to-one AI chatbot interactions that currently fall outside certain safety provisions.
The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 is regarded as one of the strictest digital safety frameworks globally. However, it does not fully regulate private interactions between users and AI chatbots unless content is shared publicly, a loophole officials say will be addressed. Kendall emphasized that after nearly eight years to pass and implement the legislation, the government cannot allow emerging technologies to bypass child protection safeguards.
Officials have expressed concern that children and young people may form one-to-one relationships with AI systems not designed with robust child safety standards. The government is expected to outline concrete proposals before June, potentially reshaping UK social media regulation, AI chatbot oversight, and online child protection policies.
