UK Considers Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Drawing on Australia’s Landmark Law

UK Government Weighs Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The United Kingdom government has launched a formal consultation on potentially banning children under 16 from social media platforms, a sweeping proposal inspired by Australia’s landmark law enacted in late 2025. This move signals a significant shift in the UK's approach to online safety, exploring drastic measures to shield young people from digital harms.

Learning from Australia's Precedent

UK policymakers are closely studying Australia’s social media ban, the world's first law prohibiting minors under 16 from holding accounts. The Australian regime, which led to the removal of nearly 4.7 million underage accounts, serves as a primary case study. UK ministers are planning a fact-finding visit to Canberra to assess enforcement and effectiveness, indicating serious consideration of a similar model.

Beyond a Ban: A Broad Consultation

The UK consultation extends beyond a simple prohibition. It will examine a comprehensive suite of measures, including:

• Raising the digital age of consent from 13 to potentially 16.

• Implementing stricter, more robust age verification systems.

• Restricting addictive platform features like infinite scrolling and social "streaks."

• Enforcing "phone-free" policies in schools, with oversight from Ofsted.

• Issuing official government screen-time guidance for parents.

Officials emphasize that no decision has been made, but the wide-ranging review highlights a readiness to overhaul current digital safety frameworks.

Political Pressure and Public Advocacy

The consultation responds to mounting pressure. Over 60 Labour MPs have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to back tougher restrictions, with cross-party support from figures like Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The campaign has been emotionally charged by advocates like Esther Ghey, who tragically lost her daughter to violence linked to online content and is now a leading voice for an under-16 ban.

The Debate: Protection vs. Practicality

Supporters argue a ban could reduce exposure to cyberbullying, harmful content, and mental health strains, citing Australia's model as a viable blueprint.
Critics, including some child welfare and digital rights groups, warn a blanket ban could drive children to darker, less-regulated corners of the internet. They also question the reliability of age verification technology and suggest stronger platform accountability for content moderation may be more effective.

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What Comes Next

The consultation will gather evidence from experts, parents, and tech firms over several weeks. A pivotal moment arrives with a House of Lords vote on an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which could legally mandate platforms to block under-16s. As the UK positions itself as the next major battleground in youth digital protection, the outcome of this debate will set a crucial precedent for online governance and child safety in the digital age.