The UK government has begun public consultations on the possibility of banning under-16s from using social media, joining a host of European nations that have moved to restrict such online activities of teenagers. Parents, guardians and young people are being invited to submit comments before the UK government reaches a decision on the proposal.
In December, Australia became the first country to impose sweeping curbs on teenage social media use. The UK is following in the footsteps of several European countries that are moving towards broad social media bans for children, despite doubts over how such measures would be implemented and whether they risk a prolonged battle with US technology groups.
France is close to passing a law, with lawmakers having approved a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s. Spain, Greece and the Netherlands have said they will act to keep young people off platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X.
