LONDON, Feb 16 (GeokHub) — The British government is considering introducing an Australia-style ban on social media for children under 16 as early as this year, while also moving to close regulatory gaps that have left some AI chatbots outside existing online safety laws.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a public consultation last month on restricting social media access for minors. Officials are now exploring legislative amendments that could allow new rules to be implemented within months after the consultation concludes.
Closing AI Chatbot Loopholes
Britain’s 2023 Online Safety Act is widely regarded as one of the strictest digital safety frameworks globally. However, it does not currently regulate one-to-one interactions with AI chatbots unless content is shared with other users.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government intends to address this loophole, citing growing concerns about children forming one-on-one relationships with AI systems not designed with child safety protections.
Kendall indicated that new proposals would be unveiled before June and emphasized that technology companies would be responsible for ensuring compliance with British law.
Social Media Ban Under Review
The potential under-16 ban mirrors measures introduced in Australia, which became the first country to block social media access for minors under 16. Several European nations, including Spain, Greece, and Slovenia, are also exploring similar restrictions.
If adopted, the UK ban would likely apply to major platforms such as:
- Meta Platforms
- Snap Inc.
- ByteDance
- Alphabet
However, officials acknowledge that defining what legally qualifies as “social media” remains a key challenge before any ban can take effect.
Broader Child Safety Measures
The government is also considering:
- Automatic data-preservation orders when a child dies, allowing investigators to secure online evidence
- Restrictions on “stranger pairing” features in online gaming
- Measures to prevent the sending or receiving of explicit images by minors
- Possible limits on minors’ access to virtual private networks (VPNs), which can bypass age checks
The proposed changes would be introduced through amendments to existing crime and child-protection legislation currently under parliamentary review.
Balancing Protection and Privacy
While many parents and child-safety advocates support tougher restrictions, some groups warn that a strict age-based ban could push harmful behavior onto less regulated platforms or create a sharp transition in digital access once children turn 16.
The UK’s efforts reflect mounting global pressure on governments to respond more quickly to emerging digital risks, particularly as AI tools become increasingly accessible to young users.
