UK considers crackdown on under-16s’ social media use

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The UK government is considering a crackdown on under-16s using social media platforms unless they have parental permission, as part of a wider drive to protect children online.

Ministers want to review possible links between the use of social media and excessive screen time and damage to the mental health of children, according to multiple government officials briefed on the issue.

A review of evidence is expected to start early in the new year, but a formal consultation, possibly leading to new rules for the sector, has not yet been confirmed. It is also unclear how such a ban would work in practice and how it would be enforced.

“We have not definitely decided to do a consultation but we are considering it,” said one official. “We have not decided what will be in it.” The discussions were first reported by Bloomberg.

The UK passed the Online Safety Act in October to compel big tech firms to protect its users from harm, with a particular focus on safety of children.

The government official said the act took so long to get on to the statute book that a new review of potential harm to younger teens from social media was needed.

Many social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, restrict users under the age of 13, primarily through requiring users to disclose their date of birth, a measure that is easily bypassed.

Michelle Donelan, science, innovation and technology secretary, is said to want to look at how other countries help parents control their children’s screen time, including the use of age verification technology.

One person familiar with government discussions said the idea of a ban on users under 16 unless they had parental consent was suggested as a last-minute addition to the Online Safety Act but ultimately blocked. They said the recent discussions were the next iteration of the earlier policy debate.

“No 10 see it as a win to give parents ultimate control,” they added. Another government official said: “We’re looking at ways to empower parents, rather than crack down on anything in particular.

“We’ve identified that there is a gap in research so we’ll be looking at what more research into it needs to be done, but nothing is yet signed off by ministers,” the official added.

The landmark Online Safety Act includes some of the strictest penalties globally for companies that do not prevent children from the dangers on the internet.

The penalties include hefty fines, withdrawing access to certain services from the UK, and criminal liability for named senior executives at tech companies.

A government spokesman said: “We do not comment on speculation. Our commitment to making the UK the safest place to be a child online is unwavering, as evidenced by our landmark Online Safety Act.

“In doing this, we also recognise the benefits of safe social media use to children as they learn about the world around them,” they added.

With a general election expected in 2024, it is unlikely ministers will be able to conclude a review of evidence, a consultation involving the industry, and make significant changes before polling day.