UK Announces Complete Ban on Social Media for Under-16s
The UK is following Australia's lead with a sweeping social media ban for under-16s, a move that could reshape global regulatory debates on child online safety.
Reporting from 1 sources: GIGAZINE.
The UK government announced a policy to ban social media for children under 16, covering platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, with enforcement targeted for spring 2027. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are excluded. The policy also includes restrictions on live streaming, stranger contact, AI romance chatbots, and potential nighttime usage limits for under-18s.
The UK government has announced a policy to ban the provision of social media to children under 16, with enforcement targeted for spring 2027. The ban covers platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, but excludes messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal. The policy also restricts live streaming and features allowing strangers to contact children under 16, and extends to online games. For 16- and 17-year-olds, restrictions will be enabled by default. The government is considering nighttime usage limits and interruptions to infinite scrolling for under-18s. AI romance companion chatbots simulating sexual relationships will require age verification for 18+, and intimate features in AI chatbots generally will be restricted for under-18s. Ofcom will investigate age assurance methods, potentially including facial recognition.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- GIGAZINE イギリスが16歳未満のSNS利用を全面禁止すると発表