British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed plans to implement a ban on social media use for under-16s next year, alongside introducing overnight curfews for teenagers aged 16 and 17. The government aims to enact the measures by the northern hemisphere’s spring and has indicated that these moves will be modeled on Australia’s recent restrictions, which include bans on popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, and Reddit.
In contrast to Australia's approach, the UK government intends to enforce stricter age verification requirements for social media companies to ensure compliance. These efforts come amid ongoing scrutiny of major technology firms over their impact on young users’ mental health. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is expected to introduce enhanced protections for teenage users in the UK, following a recent $18 billion settlement in the United States that addresses claims the company designed Instagram features that are addictive and harmful to children and teenagers.
The settlement, reached with 47 US states, marks the resolution of legal challenges accusing Meta of fueling mental health problems among minors through its platform. Pat McFadden, the British Work and Pensions Secretary, emphasized the UK government’s determination to ensure British teenagers benefit from protections at least equal to those implemented in the US. Speaking on Sky News, McFadden highlighted the government’s broader response, which includes not only reliance on tech companies but also direct regulatory actions such as the social media ban and curfews aimed at limiting “endless scrolling” among young users.
Acknowledging the potential benefits of digital technology for education and connectivity, McFadden stressed the importance of balancing access with safeguards that prevent addiction and support mental well-being. He argued that enabling children and teenagers to have more offline experiences would ultimately benefit their health and society at large.
The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 was also cited by McFadden as evidence of the country’s already stringent regulatory stance compared to other nations. Felipe Romero-Romero, an associate law professor at the University of Hertfordshire, described the Meta settlement as a significant milestone in platform accountability but noted that effective enforcement, especially across borders, remains a challenge. He predicted the agreement would create regulatory ripple effects internationally, with European and UK authorities increasingly demanding proactive safety measures by tech companies.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged that some children might attempt to circumvent the forthcoming social media ban but maintained that the restrictions would nonetheless drive meaningful behavioral changes among youth. “I’ve never thought that the ban will be a complete silver bullet,” she said.
These UK developments closely follow New Zealand’s announcement of similar legislation, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unveiling plans to ban social media access for children under 16. Luxon cited rising concerns over the impact of such platforms on young people’s mental health as driving the initiative. Together, these moves signal a growing global push by governments to regulate social media usage among minors in response to mounting evidence of potential harms.