UK Plans Social Media Ban for Children as AI Chatbot Risks Grow
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Britain is preparing sweeping new digital safety measures that could see children under the age of 16 banned from using social media, while also tightening oversight of artificial intelligence platforms, as the government accelerates efforts to protect young people online.
The administration of Keir Starmer launched a nationwide consultation last month to explore restricting minors’ access to social networking services. Officials are now drafting legislative amendments that would allow the proposals to be enforced within months of the consultation’s conclusion.
The move follows similar initiatives in Europe and the Pacific. Spain, Greece and Slovenia have announced plans to develop comparable regulations, after Australia became the first country in the world to formally block under-16s from social media platforms.
Global scrutiny of tech companies has intensified after Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok was found to be producing non-consensual sexualised content, prompting widespread concern over the lack of safety safeguards in emerging AI tools.
Closing gaps in AI regulation
Britain’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, is regarded as one of the strictest digital protection frameworks globally. However, it currently excludes private interactions with AI systems unless the content is shared publicly.
Technology minister Liz Kendall said this loophole would soon be eliminated, warning that some young people are forming emotional and psychological bonds with AI chatbots that were never built with child welfare in mind.
She said the government would publish a revised regulatory framework before June, making technology companies directly accountable for ensuring their AI systems comply with child safety standards.
Expanded child safety protections
The proposed reforms go beyond social media. The government is also consulting on introducing automatic data-preservation orders in cases involving child deaths, ensuring law enforcement agencies can quickly secure online records.
Additional proposals include new powers to limit random stranger connections on gaming platforms and the ability to block the sharing or receipt of explicit images by minors.
These measures will be incorporated into broader crime and child protection legislation currently under parliamentary review.
Balancing safety and digital freedoms
While the proposals aim to shield children from online harm, civil liberties groups caution that the new rules could affect adult privacy and restrict access to digital services.
Several adult content websites have already blocked users in the UK rather than comply with strict age-verification laws. However, many of these restrictions can be bypassed through the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which the government is now exploring ways to regulate for underage users.
Although public support for tougher online rules is strong, some child advocacy organisations warn that a total ban could unintentionally push young people into unregulated or underground online spaces.
Others fear the policy could create a sudden “digital cliff edge” when teenagers turn 16, leaving them exposed to risks without adequate preparation.
Defining social media
One of the biggest challenges facing lawmakers is determining what legally qualifies as social media. Officials acknowledge that modern platforms blur the lines between messaging services, gaming networks, video platforms and AI tools.
Until a clear legal definition is agreed upon, enforcing any ban will remain complex.
Despite these challenges, ministers insist that closing regulatory gaps is essential to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and to ensure children are protected in an increasingly AI-driven digital world.
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