In a speech released on June 15, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "The government will prohibit access to social media for all children under 16. This is a significant measure for our country and a real change for children and the future."
Starmer emphasized that "social media makes children unhappy, facilitates bullying and abuse, and can harm mental health." He added that features like infinite scrolling are designed to keep users engaged for hours. He asserted that this ban would make children safer and happier, providing them with more freedom and opportunities to grow.
The ban will apply to major social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. However, messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included, nor will some educational and child-friendly services like YouTube Kids and Google Classroom.
The UK government plans to submit related legislation to Parliament before Christmas and aims to implement protective measures by next spring. Both the ruling Labour Party and the main opposition Conservative Party generally support restrictions on children's social media use, indicating a strong likelihood of legislative approval.
In addition to the social media ban, Starmer announced plans to establish "world-leading" restrictions on gaming services and live streaming platforms. This comes amid concerns that some online spaces allow adults to access children without significant restrictions.
The government is pursuing measures to block live streaming and communication features with strangers for users under 16. Additional measures, such as setting nighttime usage limits for users under 18 and restricting infinite scrolling, are also under consideration, with details expected to be announced next month.
This announcement follows a nationwide consultation conducted by the UK government from March 2 to May 26, which received over 116,000 responses. More than 83% of responding parents indicated that the risks of social media use outweigh the benefits, and 90% supported setting the minimum age for access at 16.
Starmer addressed potential backlash from U.S. President Donald Trump and American tech companies, stating that the issue is not a conflict between technological advancement and child protection. He remarked, "This is a fight for what we believe is right. I like technology and AI, but I will not compromise on the safety and happiness of children."
However, experts have expressed concerns about the effectiveness and unintended consequences of the ban. In comments released by the UK Science Media Centre (SMC), several researchers acknowledged the need for child protection but argued that a complete ban alone will not reduce online harm.
Elvira Pérez Vallejos, a professor at the University of Nottingham, stated, "A complete ban is not a good approach," noting that the greatest threats to children come not from access itself but from the business models and designs of platforms that collect user data and encourage engagement. She emphasized the need to hold tech companies accountable for changing algorithmic recommendations, infinite scrolling, and addictive usage structures.
Liam Berryman, a senior lecturer at the University of Sussex, warned that the ban could have counterproductive effects. He cited Australia as an example, where many teenagers continued to access social media content despite the ban, suggesting that teens might create adult accounts or hide their usage from parents, potentially exposing them to more inappropriate content.
Concerns have also been raised about privacy violations during the age verification process. Hisham Alassam, a senior lecturer at Buckingham University, remarked, "It is politically unrealistic to think we can effectively verify age while protecting privacy," suggesting that adults may also be required to submit passports or biometric information to tech companies once the system is implemented.
Meanwhile, the UK has been considering similar measures since Australia passed a law in December prohibiting access to major social media for children under 16. Following Australia's action, countries like Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have pursued similar legislation or age restriction policies, while France, Spain, Denmark, and Thailand are also exploring related measures.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.