UK Government Plans Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s
The government is expected to announce restrictions on social media access for more than 12 million under-16s. Several major platforms are listed for inclusion while one platform may be excluded. A public consultation received 116,000 responses.
ukdefencejournal.org.ukThe government is expected to announce an "Australia-style" social media ban for more than 12 million under-16s. The restrictions would limit internet access on a list of hand-picked websites that includes TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
Bluesky, a rival platform to X, is not included in the preliminary list. The platform partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation last year after reporting a rise in child sexual abuse material as membership grew. Discord, a gaming-oriented messaging platform, is also absent from the list.
Ministers will decide which specific platforms face the under-16 ban at a later date. Sources told The Guardian that the government may face judicial review if it bans some platforms and not others. The Sunday Times reported the ban covers the same 10 platforms barred for under-16s in Australia: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook and Kick.
A public consultation on the restrictions received about 116,000 responses. Some 91 per cent of parents backed a minimum age of 16 before platforms can offer services to children. The plans also include restrictions for older teenagers up to age 18 that prevent "scrolling" late at night. The government statement said the measures address how to keep children safe online.
