Story perspectives

UK Eyes Under-16 Social Media Ban, Consultation Launched

5/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a move toward a ban on social-media for under-16s, with a UK consultation underway and a year-end target.
Over 60 MPs and parents support the ban, though other families and experts warn it could push youths to unregulated platforms.
The consultation also examines phone curfews, two-hour app caps, overnight blocks, AI chatbot and stranger-pairing limits in games, with Kendall saying firms must obey illegal-content laws.

History

Historical Context

In January 2020 the UK Information Commissioner’s Office released the Age-Appropriate Design Code, a DPA-2018 amendment led by Baroness Kidron that forces services likely used by under-18s to adopt child-focused privacy defaults. Liz Kendall’s 2024 consultation seeks a blanket ban on under-16 social-media access and app-hour limits, potentially forcing firms like Meta and Google to overhaul verification after three certification schemes were approved in November 2021.

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Story summary

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a move toward a ban on social-media for under-16s, with a UK consultation underway and a year-end target.
Over 60 MPs and parents support the ban, though other families and experts warn it could push youths to unregulated platforms.
The consultation also examines phone curfews, two-hour app caps, overnight blocks, AI chatbot and stranger-pairing limits in games, with Kendall saying firms must obey illegal-content laws.

1 / 2