The UK government has insisted it will not be deterred by US intervention as it prepares to announce a social media ban for under-16s. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the Guardian she was not concerned 'in the slightest' by the Trump administration's opposition, adding that nine out of ten respondents to a government poll supported the measure.
The US embassy in London published a notice warning against a ban, arguing that 'blunt regulatory instruments' would not work and that age-gating for 13- to 16-year-olds could not be effectively repurposed. Instead, the US called for 'robust tools' for parents and a focus on healthy online experiences rather than outright bans.
Kendall denied any tension between seeking US AI investment and regulating American tech firms. 'I think companies will continue investing in Britain,' she said. A Downing Street spokesperson added: 'We will always act in the UK’s national interest and protecting young people is no different.'
The government is set to announce the ban next week, alongside other restrictions such as blocking conversations with strangers on gaming platforms and limits on AI chatbot use. The move follows Australia's implementation of a blanket under-16 social media ban, which blocks platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
However, the Molly Rose Foundation has warned against an immediate ban, urging the government to set strict safety standards first and only ban apps that fail to meet them. Meanwhile, Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is already seeking a judicial review of one aspect of the Online Safety Act, challenging the fees and fines regime enforced by the UK's media regulator.
