The UK government has vowed to introduce restrictions on social media for children under 16, breaking a deadlock over demands for an Australia-style ban. Education Minister Olivia Bailey told MPs that there will be "some form of age or functionality restrictions" introduced. The pledge came after the House of Lords voted for the fourth time to bar all under-16s from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, increasing pressure on ministers.
Government's Commitment
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that any changes must be effective and sustainable. "Like everybody, I'm concerned about what young people are exposed to online. I'm concerned about the amount of time that young people spend online," she said. "I'm concerned about some of the addictive features and the way that it hooks young people and keeps them there. So we will act on that. Absolutely we will act on that. But if we're to take action, and we will, then we need to get it right."
Statutory Requirement
Olivia Bailey told the Commons: "The Government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put beyond any doubt, we are placing a clear statutory requirement that the Secretary of State must rather than may, act following the consultation. This brings forward regulations without pre-empting the consultation's outcomes, and does not ignore the tens of thousands of parents and children who have already engaged with us. Let us be clear, the status quo cannot continue."
She confirmed that under any outcome, the government will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16, with consideration of measures like curfews being additional, not alternative.
Cross-Party Support
Tory peer Lord Nash, who has pushed for a ban, welcomed the commitment as "a huge step forward for our children's safety online." He noted that parents, teachers, health professionals, and police had urged action. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott also praised the move, saying it is "a huge step forward in keeping children safe and supporting parents in their fight against screens destroying children's lives."
Campaigners' Response
The proposed restrictions have been supported by campaigners, including Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently told tech bosses from X, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google that changes were urgently needed, stating: "Things can't go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk. In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation."
