UK Government Announces Sweeping Social Media Restrictions for Children
The British government is preparing to implement major restrictions on children's use of social media platforms, with proposals including a potential ban for users under 16 years old and app curfews that could be published within months. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning to technology giants, declaring that "no platform gets a free pass" when it comes to protecting young users from online harms.
Closing Legal Loopholes and Preserving Data
Ministers are moving to close legal loopholes that currently leave children vulnerable to harmful interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots. Under new proposals, social media companies will be compelled to preserve children's social media data following pleas from bereaved parents who have struggled to access information after their child's death.
The government will introduce new legal powers through the upcoming Children's and Wellbeing Bill, enabling swift action once a consultation launched next month is completed. These measures could include preventing children from using virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass age restrictions and implementing controls to limit "doom scrolling" behavior.
Prime Minister's Personal Commitment
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized his personal connection to the issue, stating: "As a dad of two teenagers, I know the challenges and the worries that parents face making sure their kids are safe online. Technology is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up. With my government, Britain will be a leader not a follower when it comes to online safety."
Starmer referenced previous government action against Grok, X's AI tool that created sexualized deepfakes, saying: "The action we took on Grok sent a clear message that no platform gets a free pass. Today we are closing loopholes that put children at risk, and laying the groundwork for further action."
Legislative Amendments and Parental Concerns
The government will table an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to extend coverage to all chatbots not currently within the scope of the Online Safety Act, protecting users from illegal content. This follows tragic cases where parents have blamed AI chatbots for their children's deaths.
Megan Garcia became the first parent to sue Character.ai after holding the app responsible for the death of her 14-year-old son Sewell in 2024. She described the AI chatbot as "like having a predator or a stranger in your home" and noted that children often hide such interactions from their parents.
Another amendment will force social media companies to preserve data after a child's death, addressing concerns raised by British families currently suing TikTok in the United States following the deaths of their children. Ellen Roome from Cheltenham reported being unable to access her son Julian "Jools" Sweeney's account after his death, potentially related to a social media challenge.
Government Determination and Industry Response
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall affirmed the government's commitment: "We will not wait to take the action families need, so we will tighten the rules on AI chatbots and we are laying the ground so we can act at pace on the results of the consultation on young people and social media. We are determined to give children the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future at time of rapid technological change."
TikTok has responded to concerns by explaining that current legal requirements mandate the deletion of personal data, preventing access to watch or search history after accounts become inactive. The government's proposed changes aim to balance technological innovation with robust protections for vulnerable young users navigating increasingly complex digital landscapes.
