Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated that children in the UK will face restrictions on social media use, but the government remains open-minded about the specific form these limits will take. Speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Phillipson expressed concerns about the content under-16s are exposed to online and the time they spend on screens.
The government has launched a consultation on access for under-16s, considering measures such as age restrictions on social media, gaming sites, and AI chatbots. On Monday night, Education Minister Olivia Bailey confirmed to the Commons that the government will introduce 'age or functionality restrictions' for children under 16, following pressure from the House of Lords led by Tory peer John Nash.
Phillipson emphasized the need for effective, lasting measures, stating, 'It's not a question of whether we take further action to protect young people, it's the shape of that action.' She added that the government is considering a range of views from campaigners and families to ensure the restrictions stand the test of time.
The move comes amid widespread calls for an Australia-style ban on children's social media use, supported by campaigners including Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently urged tech giants including X, Meta, and TikTok to implement urgent changes.
