The UK government is preparing to introduce sweeping new restrictions on children’s access to social media platforms, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising rapid action amid mounting concerns over online safety, mental health and harmful digital content.
Labour ministers are expected to announce new social media rules within weeks following a major public consultation that attracted more than 81,000 responses from parents, young people, schools, campaign groups and technology companies.
The proposed measures could introduce stricter age limits, tighter controls on addictive app features or a combination of both. Platforms potentially affected include Meta services such as Instagram, along with TikTok, YouTube, Snap and gaming services like Roblox.
Government insiders say the reforms could be introduced before the end of 2026 as pressure grows on ministers to tackle what many campaigners describe as a worsening child safety crisis online.
Starmer Promises Rapid Action on Child Online Safety
Speaking on Tuesday, Starmer said the government would move “very, very quickly” to introduce stronger protections for children online.
The prime minister met families whose children were seriously harmed after exposure to online content, including campaigners linked to some of the UK’s highest-profile social media safety cases.
Among them was Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly Russell died in 2017 after viewing harmful online material. A coroner later concluded that social media content contributed to the 14-year-old’s death.
Starmer told affected families: “It is important that we act and we will act. I can absolutely assure you of that.”
The government’s consultation on social media reform closes this week, with ministers now reviewing submissions using an artificial intelligence system known as Consult alongside recommendations from a panel led by child health experts.
Officials are understood to be considering several options, including raising the minimum age for social media access or limiting features considered addictive or harmful to children.
New Rules Could Target Algorithms and Addictive Features
Rather than introducing a full social media ban for under-16s, ministers may instead force technology companies to prove that certain platform features are safe for children.
Industry sources say firms could be required to demonstrate that algorithms, autoplay systems and personalised recommendation feeds do not negatively affect children’s wellbeing.
Features under scrutiny include:
* Infinite scrolling
* Autoplay videos
* Push notifications
* Direct messaging
* Likes and comments systems
* Personalised content recommendations
* Encrypted messaging tools
Campaigners argue these tools are designed to maximise screen time and engagement, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm exposure and online exploitation among young users.
The government is also examining whether children should be prevented from accessing platforms that allow strangers to contact minors or share explicit material.
Divisions Emerging Over Under-16 Social Media Ban
While political momentum for tougher regulation is growing, there remains disagreement among campaigners, schools and child safety experts over the best approach.
Some campaign groups support an Australian-style ban preventing under-16s from accessing social media entirely.
Australia introduced such restrictions earlier this year, and several countries including Greece, France, Denmark, Spain, Indonesia and Malaysia are now considering similar policies.
However, others warn that outright bans could push teenagers towards unregulated or hidden online spaces where risks may become even greater.
The Molly Rose Foundation has argued against a blanket ban, warning it could create a dangerous “cliff edge” where children suddenly gain unrestricted access once they reach the legal age.
Instead, the foundation wants stricter controls on harmful platform design and stronger legal duties requiring companies to actively protect children’s mental health.
Parents and Campaigners Demand Stronger Regulation
Public concern over social media harms has intensified sharply in recent years following a series of cases involving self-harm content, cyberbullying, online grooming and viral internet challenges.
Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023, supports stronger restrictions and says social media addiction contributed to her daughter’s mental health struggles.
Meanwhile, Ellen Roome believes her son died after participating in a TikTok challenge.
Roome said technology firms spend billions developing platforms designed to maximise engagement but fail to invest enough in safety protections for children.
Families and campaigners have repeatedly accused major technology companies of prioritising profits and user growth over child welfare.
Tech Companies Lobbying Against Major Changes
Large social media firms are actively lobbying ministers as the government finalises its plans.
Meta has reportedly warned against changes that would disrupt recommendation algorithms, arguing that personalised systems help users discover relevant content.
The company also believes age verification should be handled through smartphone operating systems rather than through separate checks on individual apps.
Technology firms have also raised concerns about privacy, enforcement difficulties and the risk of children moving onto unregulated foreign platforms.
However, ministers appear increasingly determined to tighten controls.
Liz Kendall said: “No one’s going to stop me from doing what I think is right.”
Pressure Builds After Online Safety Concerns
The debate comes as Britain continues implementing the Online Safety Act 2023, which gives regulator Ofcom expanded powers to fine technology firms that fail to protect users from harmful material.
Police agencies and child protection groups have recently warned that the online environment remains unsafe for children despite the new legislation.
Senior UK police officials earlier this year called for under-16s to be blocked from social media platforms featuring private messaging, harmful recommendation systems or weak age checks.
Research has also linked excessive social media use to rising anxiety, depression and sleep disruption among teenagers.
Education experts warn that children are spending increasing amounts of time online at the expense of face-to-face social interaction, school performance and emotional development.
Government Faces Growing Political Pressure
Labour’s planned crackdown is expected to become a major political issue ahead of upcoming elections and wider debates over technology regulation.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting accused lawmakers of being “asleep at the wheel” over online harms and compared social media risks to smoking.
The government is also conscious that any reforms could face legal challenges if consultation procedures are not handled correctly.
Still, pressure from parents, schools and child safety organisations continues to grow rapidly.
Justine Roberts said families were tired of being left to battle major technology companies alone while children continued to suffer online harms.
With the consultation process now closing, ministers are expected to reveal the next stage of Britain’s child online safety reforms in the coming weeks.