Government vows to bring in under-16 social media restrictions by end of year

The UK government is set to introduce new social media restrictions for under-16s by the end of the year, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has confirmed. The move comes as a government consultation on the matter draws to a close, with 70,000 submissions from charities, campaign groups, and members of the public. Kendall told the BBC that the government would take action to protect children online, saying: "The question isn't whether we're going to act - we will." The government's scope is looking at a broad range of issues and features and how these impact children, including potential restrictions on platforms not covered by Australia's recent restrictions, such as Roblox and Discord.

Campaigners are divided on whether an outright ban on social media for children is the best approach. Some groups, including police leaders, have backed a ban, while others believe it would be ineffective and that existing laws should be enforced instead. Ellen Roome, whose son Jools died at the age of 14 in 2022, is among bereaved families and campaigners who will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to urge the government to take swift action.

Lord Nash, a former Conservative education minister, called on the government to "deliver on that commitment fully and in the shortest possible timeframe." Meanwhile, Ian Russell, chair of the online safety charity the Molly Rose Foundation, argued that the government should enforce existing laws rather than introducing "sledgehammer techniques like bans." Kendall said she would take action even if big tech pushes back, saying: "No one's going to stop me from doing what I think is right for this country."