As Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to face off against former President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Evian, the UK government is scrambling to address concerns that its newly announced social media ban for under-16s might be seen as a thinly veiled attack on American tech giants. The move, which follows in the footsteps of Australia's similar legislation, has sparked weeks of behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts aimed at reassuring senior US figures that the restrictions are purely designed to safeguard Britain's children, not challenge US dominance of the digital landscape.
The comprehensive ban, set to take effect soon, will prohibit under-16s from accessing major platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok. The legislation also introduces new measures to protect vulnerable groups, including a ban on live-streaming by minors, restrictions on unsolicited adult contact with children on gaming platforms, and prohibitions on interactions between under-18s and 'romantic' chatbots.
British officials are acutely aware of the potential for retaliation from the Trump administration, which has previously threatened to impose tariffs on UK goods over disagreements such as the digital services tax. To mitigate this risk, the government is employing a three-pronged strategy: engaging directly with technology companies, pre-briefing US officials, and actively countering misinformation in the media.
Key to these efforts is the prime minister's personal relationship with Mr Trump, which he hopes will help to allay any concerns. The two leaders are set to meet again at the G7 summit, where Prime Minister Starmer plans to reiterate the UK's commitment to safeguarding its children and promoting responsible social media practices.
The new legislation has attracted broad support across party lines, with even some Conservative backbenchers praising the move as a necessary step towards protecting vulnerable young people. Next month, further regulations are anticipated, including potential late-night curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds and additional rules on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to prevent age controls circumvention.
According to Downing Street officials, Prime Minister Starmer has undergone a significant shift in his stance on social media regulation. Initially opposed to the idea of an outright ban, he was persuaded by evidence gathered during a 12-week government consultation. The prime minister now believes that social media companies have a responsibility to protect children from the potential harms of their platforms, and that stricter regulations are necessary to safeguard young people's mental health.