UK Government Announces Comprehensive Online Protections for Children

The UK government is set to implement world-leading online safety measures for children, including a social media ban for under-16s and restrictions on harmful features.

The UK government is taking decisive action to protect children online, announcing a comprehensive set of measures that go further than any other country in the world. These groundbreaking initiatives aim to give children back their childhoods and empower parents in the digital age.

With overwhelming support from 9 in 10 parents, the government plans to introduce these protections before Christmas, with expectations that they will come into force in Spring . This bold move signals a clear choice to prioritize families over tech companies and set a new standard for digital safety.

The Social Media Ban and Beyond

The centerpiece of these measures is a ban on social media platforms for children under 16. This ban will apply to user-to-user platforms that enable social interaction and allow users to post material, including popular services like SnapchatTikTokYouTubeInstagramFacebookand X.

However, messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in this ban.

But the government isn’t stopping at a blanket ban. They are also introducing world-leading blocks on harmful functions such as live streaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s. These restrictions will apply to a wider range of online services, including gaming sites. Additionally, these functionalities will be turned off by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent a sudden change at 16.

Additional Protections and Enforcement

The government is also looking into overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18-year-olds, with more details to be set out in July. AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbotsdesigned to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users, will have to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar intimate functionalities will be restricted for under-18s on AI chatbots more widely.

To support compliance, the government will introduce more highly effective age assurance (HEAA) measures, making it far harder for children to bypass safeguards. Ofcom will conduct a rapid study on what is effective age assurance for verifying whether someone is over 16. The Secretary of State has also asked for an urgent review of Ofcom’s enforcement capabilities, with a clear enforcement strategy to be published as soon as possible.

The Public’s Response and Future Measures

These announcements follow one of the biggest national conversations held by the government, with more than 116,000 responses submitted by parents, children, and experts across the country. The responses showed overwhelming public backing for tougher action, with 9 in 10 parents supporting a social media ban for children under 16.

The majority of young people also backed action, with two-thirds agreeing that children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms. The government is committed to taking further measures in the future to ensure children’s wellbeing is prioritized in the digital world.