The UK government is preparing to announce a major overhaul of social media restrictions for children, with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, promising to 'call time on a system that's failing our kids'.
The announcement, set to be made on Monday, follows a three-month consultation that saw 90% of respondents back a social media ban for under-16s. While some campaigners have expressed concerns that such a ban could be counterproductive, the government's culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has defended the move, saying it is 'how, not whether, we better protect children online'.
The proposed restrictions are expected to include a ban on popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, as well as curfews for older teenagers and restrictions on AI chatbots. The government has also been considering measures to restrict the use of disappearing messages and livestreaming on certain platforms.
Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has promised 'bold action' ahead of the announcement, saying that the government must put children first. However, the father of a teenager who took her own life after seeing harmful content online has warned that a ban could 'create a false sense of safety' and push children to other areas of the internet.
The exact details of the proposed restrictions have not yet been confirmed, but the announcement is expected to have significant implications for social media companies and parents across the UK.