The United Kingdom is considering introducing a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 as part of wider efforts to address concerns over excessive screen time and online safety.
According to a report by the Economic Times, the proposal is currently under discussion within the government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as part of ongoing consultations on how to regulate children’s access to platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Starmer said the government is also reviewing additional measures, including app curfews, time limits, and restrictions on algorithm-driven feeds, which he said contribute to “addictive scrolling” behaviour among young users.
“We’re consulting on whether there should be a ban for under-16s. But equally important, the addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic and they need to go,” he said.
The consultation is aimed at understanding how social media affects children’s sleep, education, and family life, as well as responding to concerns from parents about digital habits.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the public consultation on children’s online safety has already received tens of thousands of responses, with input still being accepted from parents, teenagers, and families.
“We want to hear from parents, teenagers, and families about their experiences and views on curfews, AI chatbots, and addictive features,” she said.
The proposal places the UK in line with a growing global debate over children’s access to social media. Australia has already implemented a ban for users under 16, while countries such as Greece and Indonesia have introduced similar restrictions.
The UK government, however, stressed that no final decision has been made, adding that the consultation process will guide future policy on how social media platforms operate for younger users.
Officials say the outcome could lead to stricter age-based rules, potentially reshaping how teenagers interact with digital platforms in the years ahead.
