Britain expected to set out social media restrictions

Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging them to impose age verification

Britain is expected to set out restrictions on social media for children under 16 on Monday that could include banning popular platforms and features ‌that are deemed too addictive for the well-being of young people online.

Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms.

But ​with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Prime ​Minister Keir Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for children under 16 last year.

Starmer said people rightly expected action. That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.

The Guardian newspaper said Starmer would announce a ban for all children under 16 from main social media platforms while online products that are ​not covered, such as gaming apps, will face restrictions, such as preventing children from talking to strangers.

Australia was the first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them in last December from platforms including ‌YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Since then a number of countries have said they are looking to regulate access to social media amid mounting concerns over the impact on children’s health and safety.

Britain has consulted teachers, parents and young people on new restrictions, including a possible ban for children under 16, as well as curfews, app time limits and curbs on what the government has described as addictive design features.

It received more than 116,000 responses from parents, industry and young people. More than 83% of parents who responded said risks from social media outweighed benefits, while 90% backed a minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms.

Lisa Nandy, the minister for culture and media, said Australia’s experience suggested that while some children would always get around a ban, it would change the dynamic.