The U.K. government is thinking about quickly banning social media for children under 16 and increasing oversight of AI chatbots. This is part of a larger push to make online spaces safer, according to several news outlets.
Push for faster restrictions on youth access
Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants more authority to control how young people use online platforms. Reuters says he is considering a ban like Australia’s for under-16s, and officials are looking at how to put this in place soon, possibly after public input.
NBC News says these proposals are part of broader online safety plans to protect children. The government is also working out how to legally define social media platforms before setting age limits.
The U.K. is studying policies adopted or discussed in other countries, including Australia and parts of Europe, where governments have explored stricter controls on youth access to digital platforms.
Plans to tighten oversight of AI chatbots
The government also wants to update online safety rules to include AI chatbots. Reuters says officials are trying to fix gaps in current laws, which may not cover private chats between users and AI systems. Ministers are considering updating the Online Safety Act to ensure that chatbot providers face the same responsibilities as social media companies to prevent harmful content, particularly when children are involved.
The Guardian reported that the push follows growing concern about the risks AI chatbots could pose to young users, including exposure to harmful or inappropriate material. Policymakers are examining how to ensure companies take responsibility for content generated through conversational AI systems.
Broader child-safety measures under discussion
The government is also thinking about more ways to protect children online. This could include limiting features that let strangers contact minors and making rules about harmful content stricter.
Starmer presents these proposals as part of a bigger plan to protect children online, especially as political pressure grows to deal with digital safety risks.
Some of these ideas could make tech companies do more to prevent harm. However, there is also debate about how these rules could impact privacy and access to the internet.
Debate over impact and enforcement
People have mixed feelings about these proposals. Some parents and safety advocates support stricter rules, but critics worry that banning social media could lead young people to use less regulated sites or make the rules hard to enforce.
Financial Times notes that it is still hard for policymakers to decide what counts as social media and how to check users’ ages.
The government has not made final decisions yet. Officials are still discussing how to protect children while allowing access to online services.
A wider shift in digital regulation
Overall, these proposals show a move toward stricter rules for online platforms and new technologies. The government is focusing on this because of rising worries about how digital services impact children and how fast technology is changing.
With social media access for minors and AI chatbot rules now being reviewed, the U.K. seems ready to adopt stricter rules for how young people use online platforms.
