Official UK government legislation or announcements

UK Government, Led by Peter Kyle, Considers Australian-Style Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Nov 20, 2024, 10:31 AM

The UK government, led by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, is considering a ban on social media for children under 16. This potential policy follows Australia's lead, where a similar ban has been proposed. The move comes as part of broader efforts to enhance online safety for children, with the government expressing openness to all options to protect young users. Kyle has warned tech companies that failure to act could result in stringent measures, including fines and jail time for executives who breach their duty of care to children. Ofcom has been instructed to be more assertive with tech firms ahead of new legal powers coming into force in 2025. The government is also commissioning new research to assess the impact of social media on youth, with the findings to inform future policy decisions.