Social media ban for under 16s: Explanation of plans to introduce online age limits

A ban on social media for under-16s is being considered in the UK as the government seeks to tighten online safety laws.

Technology Minister Peter Kyle said the measure was “on the table” and called on tech companies to take more action to protect children.

The minister has outlined his priorities for online safety regulator Ofcom as it prepares to implement and enforce the laws set out in the Online Safety Act next year.

Social media has been accused of causing more and more children to commit suicide and develop eating disorders due to bullying and exposure to negative body images.

What does the law contain?

The law imposes new security obligations on social media platforms for the first time, requiring the enforcement of age limits and the protection of users, especially children, from harmful content.

This also includes cracking down on access by those under 13 to age-restricted content.

From the finalization of the guidance, companies will have three months to carry out risk assessments and make changes to protect users.

Platforms could face fines of up to £18 million from the regulator if they fail to comply with the rules of the Online Safety Act when it comes into force.

iStock

Speaking to the Telegraph newspaper, Kyle suggested the UK would need to move to a “different level of regulation” if tech companies don’t band together to enforce the law.

The technology minister said he would not seek further changes to the law until he understood how the Online Safety Act worked.

Asked whether Britain could raise its age limit to 16, Kyle told the Telegraph: “When it comes to keeping young people safe, everything is on the table.”

The bill has been criticized by some groups, with many questioning how the policy will be enforced and whether it protects children.

Critics argued that removing children from social media reduces the incentive for platforms to provide safer online environments.

Which other countries do this?

Australia has unveiled a world-first law banning children under 16 from accessing platforms such as X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Australia plans to require social media platforms to take action to prevent online harm to users such as bullying, predatory behavior and algorithms that spread destructive content as part of proposed changes to the Online Safety Act, the government said.

“The digital duty of care will place responsibility on digital platforms to proactively keep Australians safe and better prevent online harm,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the measures could come into force at the end of next year.

Australia is also testing an age verification system to block children from accessing social media platforms. This is part of a series of measures that include some of the strictest controls yet introduced in any country.

The technology minister stated that he had already spoken to politicians from Australia about the plans.

What’s next?

As the government prepares to enforce the law, Kyle has published for the first time a statement of strategic priorities for regulator Ofcom.

It says Ofcom should ensure that the concept of “security by design” is followed by platforms from the outset so that more harm is identified before it occurs, and urges more transparency from tech firms about what harm is occurring appear on their platforms.

They are also asked to create digital worlds that are inclusive and resistant to harm, including from disinformation.

Ofcom must also ensure it is “agile” in regulating the sector by monitoring and tackling emerging potential harms such as AI and using online safety technologies to also help improve user safety.

The government said Ofcom must consider each of the stated priorities when enforcing the law and report on what measures it has taken to ensure safer online spaces are provided.

“Children’s safety online is a priority for this government. That’s why today I will be the first Secretary of State to exercise the power to set my strategic priorities,” Kyle said.

He also announced that ministers will launch a research project to help understand the impact of smartphones and social media use on children.

iStock

What do charities say?

Ian Russell, chairman of the Molly Rose Foundation, said the new priorities provided some “course correction” for the Online Safety Act and would allow Ofcom to act “bolderly”, but warned that further reforms to the rules were still needed.

The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) was founded by Russell and his family in memory of his daughter Molly, who ended her life in November 2017 at the age of 14 after viewing harmful content on social media.

“This announcement outlines a much-needed course correction that is critical to improving online security and preventing the new regulation from falling significantly short of expectations,” he said.

“While this is an important push for Ofcom to be bolder, it is also abundantly clear that we need a new online safety law to reinforce current structural failings and focus minds on the importance of minimizing harm.”

Maria Neophytou, director of strategy and knowledge at the NSPCC, said the new priorities had “the potential to transform the online world for children”.

She added: “Through Childline we hear from young people every day about the range of harm they endure online, including online bullying, access to content that promotes suicide and eating disorders, and child sexual abuse and exploitation.”

“Tech companies need to be transparent about the harm done on their platforms. They should destroy “safe havens” for criminals by tackling the hidden abuse that occurs through private messaging.

“It is right that the government focuses on driving innovation and new technologies that can detect and stop abuse and prevent harm in the first place.”

An Ofcom spokesman said: “Our determination to help children and adults in the UK live safer lives online has never been stronger.”

“We welcome the government’s draft statement on strategic priorities for online security, which when finalized will help shape this important work.”