The UK government is moving forward with plans to restrict children under 16 from accessing high-risk social media platforms, emphasizing that this measure is only an initial step in a broader effort to improve online safety. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has signaled the government’s commitment to further regulatory actions, describing the upcoming ban as a “staging post” in what she called a necessary, active intervention to make online spaces safer and more empowering.
The social media ban, set to come into effect by March 2027, will prohibit users under 16 from accessing platforms deemed high risk, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram. Additional measures are planned for 16- and 17-year-olds, which are expected to include restrictions on websites featuring infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven promotion of harmful content, alongside enhanced age-verification requirements. However, the exact timing of these measures has not yet been finalized.
Nandy, speaking ahead of her address at the Labour party conference, underscored the government's intent to go beyond this ban. She argued that the current approach marks a shift towards a more interventionist role for the state in regulating the digital environment. “We shouldn’t accept that this is the end,” she said, asserting the United Kingdom’s ambition to become “pioneers of tech as a force for good.”
The Culture Secretary praised the initial announcement of the ban by then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, while noting a renewed momentum since Andy Burnham assumed the prime ministership in July and assigned her responsibility for online safety. Drawing an analogy to public safety in physical spaces, Nandy questioned the previous acceptance that children should simply be removed from harmful online environments rather than those environments being made safer.
A government consultation on the ban drew more than 116,000 responses, with about 85% of parents expressing concern that the risks of social media outweighed any benefits for their children. Nandy conveyed a message of change to families affected by online harm, stating they can expect a “new chapter” where the state actively shapes safer civic spaces, including digital ones.
The government has also demonstrated readiness to challenge major technology firms and is exploring ways to elevate established broadcasters and media companies on digital platforms, despite potential disagreements with US authorities. Nandy referenced the private sector's dominant role over the internet and criticized the outsourcing of responsibility for online safety to private owners, such as Elon Musk. Following her appointment, she convened meetings with tech companies, expressing disappointment at X’s failure to engage.
Nandy acknowledged challenges in enforcing the Online Safety Act, noting that effective regulation depends on robust enforcement capabilities. She welcomed proposals from BBC Director General Matt Brittin for a “public service algorithm” to offer an alternative to those used by major tech companies, aligning with government ambitions for the UK to lead in harnessing technology for social benefit.
Looking ahead, Nandy emphasized the need for sustained government involvement and public reassurance that decisive action will be taken to protect vulnerable users, particularly children, on digital platforms.