The United Kingdom is considering a potential ban on social media use for children under 16 as part of broader efforts to tackle concerns around screen time and online safety.
According to reports, the proposal is being discussed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of an ongoing consultation on regulating young people’s access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Starmer said the government is also examining additional measures, including app curfews, usage limits, and restrictions on algorithm-driven content feeds, which he said encourage “addictive scrolling” among children.
“We’re consulting on whether there should be a ban for under 16s. But equally important, the addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic and they need to go,” he said.
The proposed measures are part of efforts to better understand the impact of social media on children’s sleep, education, and family interactions, while responding to growing concerns from parents about online behaviour.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation process has already attracted tens of thousands of responses, with more input expected from the public.
“We want to hear from parents, teenagers, and families about their experiences and views on curfews, AI chatbots, and addictive features,” she said.
The move comes amid a broader global trend toward stricter regulation of children’s social media use. Australia has already introduced a ban for users under 16, while countries such as Greece and Indonesia have adopted similar restrictions.
UK authorities say no final decision has been reached, noting that the consultation will guide future policy on how social media platforms operate for younger users and whether age-based limits should be enforced.
