As the online world becomes an increasingly treacherous terrain for young people, Keir Starmer is poised to unveil a landmark policy package aimed at shielding under-16s from the darker side of social media. Dubbed 'Australia plus', these comprehensive measures echo similar restrictions already in force Down Under, where major platforms are off-limits to minors. But this UK initiative goes further, introducing sweeping new curbs on online products and screen time for teenagers.
The policy's core ambition is twofold: to prevent under-16s from accessing prominent social media services like TikTok, Instagram, and X, while also restricting online gaming apps that enable communication with strangers. For older teens, the proposals include limits on late-night browsing after 8:30 PM, as well as a blanket ban on AI-powered chatbots designed for romantic or sexual interactions.
Government sources describe the policy's driving force as a pressing need to safeguard teenagers from the addictive and harmful content that pervades online platforms. They highlight the risks associated with stranger contact, infinite scrolling, and other features that can have devastating consequences. "There are no half measures here," a source stressed, underscoring the seriousness of intent behind these proposals.
The proposed bans would be modelled on Australia's existing restrictions, which prohibit under-16s from using ten major platforms. UK government sources suggest a comparable range of applications would be affected by the new rules. This move follows a public consultation, 'growing up in the online world', which found overwhelming support among parents for a minimum age of 16 for social media access.
The results revealed that nearly nine out of ten parents backed this threshold, with 88% believing it would significantly reduce children's exposure to inappropriate content. Almost two-thirds of young respondents felt that restricting high-risk features would improve their online safety. Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy acknowledged on Sunday that while social media restrictions are not a "silver bullet solution", they are crucial for better protecting young people.
The implications for technology companies and families across the UK could be profound, marking a significant shift in the nation's approach to regulating the online world. The Labour Party has yet to formally respond to these reported proposals, which are expected to form a key part of Mr Starmer's upcoming policy announcements.