UK to Announce Under-16 Social Media Restrictions Next Week Despite Technical and Free-Speech Objections from US

The UK government will announce restrictions on under-16s' access to social media next week, including a possible ban and limits on conversations with strangers on gaming platforms. Limits on AI chatbot use are also under consideration. The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, told the Guardian she was not concerned “in the slightest” by the Trump administration’s intervention after the US embassy in London posted a notice warning against a ban.

Kendall denied any tension between seeking investment from US AI companies and implementing regulations that affect major American tech firms. “I think companies will continue investing in Britain,” she said. ” A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK will always act in the UK’s national interest and protecting young people is no different.

In a submission to the UK government consultation on online safety, the US government opposed “prescribed one-size-fits-all government restrictions” and “blunt regulatory instruments” to address online harms to children. ” The US embassy notice also expressed concern about regulations that impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies or that apply to one platform but not similar services.

” The consultation into online child safety closed two weeks before 2026-06-09.

Meta has launched a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator over the fees and fines regime under the Online Safety Act. Australia has implemented a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media. The Molly Rose Foundation has warned against an immediate ban for apps deemed to be highly risky and has called for strict safety standards, such as curbing personalised algorithms, before any platforms are blocked.