UK social media ban for children could raise the age and curb app features

Ministers are consulting on measures that could limit social media use by under-16s, including raising the digital age of consent and restricting app design features. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will also direct Ofsted to review school mobile phone policies and produce screen-time guidance, and the government will respond to the consultation in the summer.

Ministers are consulting on measures that could limit social media use by children under 16 in the UK. The consultation will look at options such as increasing the digital age of consent and restricting app design features like "streaks" and infinite scrolling. The initiative follows a social media age limit introduced in Australia and comes ahead of Lords debate on a related amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said it will take immediate actions including directing Ofsted to examine school mobile phone policies and issuing screen-time guidance for children. Key facts: - Ministers are consulting on a possible ban or stricter controls for social media use by under-16s and on raising the digital age of consent. - The consultation will consider restricting design features linked to addictive use such as "streaks" and "infinite scrolling." - DSIT plans to direct Ofsted to review how schools apply mobile phone policies and will publish screen-time guidance for children aged 5–16; guidance for under-fives is due in April. - Australia introduced an under-16 social media ban in December and ordered platforms to close underage accounts or face fines of up to AU$49.5m. - Platforms in Australia have proposed age-assurance methods including age inference and ID checks, while academics, some organisations and affected users have voiced concerns about the approach. Summary: The consultation will inform whether the UK adopts measures similar to those used in Australia, including age limits or product design rules. The government will seek views from parents and young people and says it will respond in the summer after ministers visit Australia as part of the review. Immediate steps announced include Ofsted reviews of school phone policies and published screen-time guidance for children.