UK Police Chiefs Call for Age Limits on Social Media Features

The National Police Chiefs’ Council and National Crime Agency stated that children under 16 should be barred from social media, gaming, and artificial intelligence apps that include private messaging. The agencies said the restrictions are needed on platforms that do not block harmful content recommendations, allow sharing of nude photos, or permit strangers to contact minors.

The statements follow a UK government consultation on a social media ban for under-16s. The government has expressed support for regulator Ofcom to act against companies that fail to protect children online. Lawmakers are considering age limits, outright bans, or app curfews, and measures to stop children from taking, sharing, or viewing nude images.

NCA director general Graeme Biggar said the online environment is not safe for children and that industry response has been too slow.

“Either the tech companies must effectively stop children using those features or make them safe. ”

NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said the online space has become something of a wild west, with regulation and law lagging behind technology. Stephens added that the risk to children is severe and wide-ranging, and that the online space has made it easier for criminals and abusers to target the most vulnerable.

The agencies listed features they want removed from apps used by children: easy access to large numbers of minors, unmonitored contact by strangers, encrypted or private messaging, harmful-content algorithms, and the ability to share nude images. They noted that many of these features are already addressed in the Online Safety Act, yet companies continue to violate the rules.

The agencies want Ofcom to gain power to enforce minimum age policies and to tighten nudity controls at the device level. Some platforms including Apple, Instagram, and TikTok have begun disabling technology used for direct messages to prevent children from sending or receiving nude content.

Concerns remain about data leaks and privacy if private messaging features are removed.