STORY
The Government has confirmed plans to bring forward legislation banning social media platforms from offering services to children under 16. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the measures were expected to be introduced to Parliament before Christmas, with protections due to come into force in spring 2027.
The proposal would apply to social media platforms and is intended to reduce the amount of time children spend scrolling online. The Government said 16 and 17 year olds would still be able to access social media, but that some functions, including live streaming and communication with strangers, would be restricted by default.
The announcement is likely to lead to further debate over enforcement, privacy and age verification. The Government has said the policy is about protecting children, while critics have raised questions about how platforms will verify age, how data will be handled and whether children will try to bypass restrictions.