UK Government Weighs Social Media Age Limits as Consultation Closes

The UK government’s public consultation on measures to limit children’s social media use closes at midnight Tuesday. Officials have already said they will introduce age or functionality restrictions for under-16s regardless of the consultation outcome, with detailed proposals due by summer and legislation planned before the end of the year.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting called for a full ban on social media for under-16s, comparing platforms to tobacco products. He said social media is “extremely addictive, bad for our health” and accused tech companies of using tactics similar to those once employed by cigarette makers.

Labour peer Luciana Berger wrote in The Times that Tuesday is the final day for responses and urged parents, carers and teachers to submit views. She noted that 73 per cent of Labour members and 75 per cent of all voters back preventing under-16s from using social media.

Streeting, who resigned from the government earlier this month, also called on ministers to act quickly. He said a ban “must be the start, not the end” and argued that children should be given back their childhood.

A government spokesperson said the consultation seeks input on a range of options, including access restrictions and potential app curfews. More than 70,000 people have already responded. The spokesperson added that the Online Safety Act already requires platforms to give users greater control over content and stronger protections from harmful material.

" — Wes Streeting, May 2026 (The Independent) Ministers announced the planned restrictions in April after the House of Lords voted four times to press for an outright ban. Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has also backed a full prohibition for under-16s.