The UK government is preparing to introduce a ban on social media usage for children under 16, in a bid to protect teenagers from the potential harm of online platforms. According to reports, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce the policy in a speech on Monday, following a similar move in Australia.
The ban is expected to cover a range of social platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as other apps that may pose a risk to children's safety. The policy would prohibit users under 18 from accessing romantic and sexual chatbots, and seek to prevent late-night scrolling.
While the government can use its existing regulatory powers to enforce some aspects of the ban, new legislation may also be required, the Guardian reported. The UK is one of several countries considering bans on social media use by children, following growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on teenagers' mental health and wellbeing.
Proponents of the ban argue that it would help to prevent online harm, including cyberbullying and the spread of harmful content. However, critics have raised concerns about the potential impact on user privacy and the effectiveness of the ban in achieving its intended goals.