Britain is taking tough measures to protect children online, considering a ban on social media for those under 16(inspired by Australia's model). The initiative also aims to close a regulatory loophole that leaves some artificial intelligence chatbots outside safety rules, boosting the government's efforts to tackle digital risks more quickly.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer 's government launched a consultation on the issue last month and is working to change the law so that the changes can be implemented within months of the consultation's conclusion. Britain wants to avoid a delay, as previous legislation took almost eight years to come into force, and technology minister Liz Kendall has stressed that new loopholes in child protection rules cannot be allowed .
See also: Australia: Removal of 4.7 million social media accounts of minors
International context and previous incidents
Britain is not alone in its efforts. Spain, Greece and Slovenia are also considering similar bans, following Australia, which became the first country to block access to children under 16. The scrutiny has intensified after incidents, such as that involving chatbot Grok Elon Musk's, which produced non-consensual sexual images, demonstrating the need for clear regulatory oversight.
The Internet Safety Act 2023 is considered one of the strictest in the world, but it does not cover personal interactions with chatbots unless they share information with other users. Kendall said this loophole is set to be closed soon, as it is crucial that delays in protecting children are not repeated.
Concerns about child safety
The minister stressed that some children are developing relationships with AI systems that are not designed with their safety in mind. “I am concerned about AI chatbots and the impact they have on children and young people,” she told Times Radio. The government plans to present final proposals before June, setting out the frameworks for safety and oversight.
New responsibilities for technology companies
Kendall said tech companies would be held accountable for ensuring their systems comply with UK law. The consultation will also include measures such as automatic data retention when a child dies, restrictions on “stranger pairing” on games consoles and a ban on sending or receiving nude images. The proposals aim to give children greater protection and investigators access to crucial online evidence, especially in cases of crime or tragedy.
See also: Reddit challenges Australia's social media law
Legal and social challenges
The new measures will be introduced as an amendment to existing crime and child protection legislation and are expected to be considered in parliament. However, the measures could affect adults' privacy and access to services, creating tension with the US over free speech and regulatory reach.
Some major porn sites have already blocked British users rather than conducting age checks, but the blocks can be bypassed with VPNs, which the government is considering restricting for minors. At the same time, parents and safety advocates often support the ban, while other organizations worry that the ban could push children into less regulated spaces.
See also: YouTube will comply with Australia's social media law
Definition of social media and next steps
The government must also legally define what constitutes social media before any ban can be implemented. Britain is trying to create a model that protects children while maintaining a balance between safety, freedom and innovation on digital platforms.
