Social media regulations for under-16s in the UK will extend to gaming and AI chatbots.

      Britain is likely to establish restrictions on social media usage for children under 16, with possibilities of banning access to major platforms and limiting features deemed overly addictive for young users, based on reports regarding the government's intentions.

      Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly decided to take more stringent measures after discussions with parents and considering evidence from Australia, which implemented a similar ban for those under 16 last year. The proposal, as reported by the Guardian, would prohibit all individuals under 16 from using the primary social media platforms. Apps that do not fall under the social media categorization, including gaming applications, would face their own set of restrictions instead of a complete ban, including measures to prevent children from being contacted by strangers.

      Additionally, reports have mentioned possible evening curfews and restrictions on AI chatbots as part of what officials are calling an “Australia-plus” strategy.

      Currently, there is already a legislative foundation in place. Part 3 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 mandates the government to implement some form of age or functionality restrictions for those under 16, meaning the ministers are now faced with determining the specifics of the regulations rather than deciding whether to implement them. A public consultation process will involve gathering parental feedback before finalizing the details.

      Britain will not be alone in this endeavor. Australia’s ban serves as a key reference for ministers, while Malaysia has also expressed plans to introduce its own restrictions for under-16s. This trend highlights a growing consensus among various governments regarding children’s interactions with major platforms within a similar timeframe.

      The inclusion of gaming apps and AI chatbots extends the proposal beyond a simple platform ban, as it encompasses products that are not typically classified as social networks. Chatbots, in particular, have emerged as a more recent concern for regulators compared to the social feeds that initiated this debate, and their inclusion suggests that ministers are attempting to develop regulations for a landscape that has evolved since the initial online safety laws were designed.

      The practical implications pose more significant challenges. Age verification on such a large scale has been contentious wherever attempted, raising concerns about potentially intrusive identity checks or systems easily bypassed by determined teenagers.

      Australia's implementation, which has been consistently referenced by ministers, has also faced scrutiny over these issues, and the British consultation will likely consider these experiences closely. Industry representatives contend that rigid age limits could push children towards less regulated areas of the internet rather than away from it, an argument ministers will need to balance with the parental concerns that are driving the policy.

      The effectiveness of enforcement measures and the age verification process that does not inadvertently impact adults will be addressed in the forthcoming consultation and subsequent legislation. The announcement sets the intended direction, while the operational details will be determined later.