LONDON – The British government is exploring measures to protect children online, including a possible ban on social media for those below a certain age. Officials are also considering stricter rules for mobile phone use in schools.
The government will review evidence from countries worldwide, including Australia, which recently banned social media for children under 16. Ministers plan to visit Australia to learn from its approach and determine how such a ban could work in the UK.
While no specific age limit has been set, officials are examining proposals for a ban “for children under a certain age.” Measures under review also include improved age checks and reassessing the current digital age of consent.
Growing Concerns Over Online Safety
Concerns over children’s exposure to social media and excessive screen time have intensified globally. The rise of AI-generated content has further amplified these worries, following reports of Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot producing non-consensual sexual images, including those of minors.
The British government has already proposed banning AI nudification tools and taking steps to prevent children from sharing or viewing nude images on their devices. Officials are also considering limiting addictive features on social media, such as infinite scrolling.
Online Safety Act Impact
Britain’s Online Safety Act, one of the strictest online safety laws, has increased age checks for children online from 30% to 47%. It has also reduced visits to pornography sites by a third, according to government data.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said, “These laws were never meant to be the end point. Parents still have serious concerns, and I am prepared to take further action.”
In other news read more about New York Passes Law Requiring Mental Health Warnings on Social Media
The government emphasized that any new measures, including restrictions on social media, would aim to balance online freedom with child safety and mental well-being.
