UK ministers launch consultation on banning social media for under-16s

Ministers have opened a consultation on whether to ban social media use by under-16s and on related school phone measures; peers will vote on a related amendment to set an age limit at 16 on Wednesday.

Ministers have launched a public consultation on whether to ban social media use for children under 16 as part of wider measures to limit mobile phone use among young people. The government says the move responds to growing concerns from parents and other groups and follows recent high-profile calls for stricter limits. The consultation will look at options such as an age limit, how to enforce it, restricting firms' access to young users' data and limiting features like infinite scrolling. Peers in the House of Lords are due to vote on an amendment on Wednesday that would set the age limit at 16. Key points: - The technology secretary announced a consultation on banning social media for under-16s and on measures to curb phone use. - The consultation will examine an age limit, enforcement approaches, limits on data access by firms, and reductions in addictive features. - Peers will vote on a proposed amendment to set the age limit at 16 on Wednesday. - The government also expects schools to be phone-free by default and wants Ofsted to report on phone use in inspections. Summary: The government has opened a consultation while a Lords vote is scheduled on an amendment to set an age limit at 16. The consultation’s findings and the outcome of the peer vote will determine what steps, if any, are taken next; the final outcome is undetermined at this time.