British government bans access to social networks and gaming platforms for children under 16
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, revealed this Monday (15) the decision to bar people under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, in addition to implementing restrictions on gaming websites and live streaming services. This initiative represents a stricter stance against large technology companies, surpassing measures adopted by other nations. The proposal aims to protect children and adolescents, a topic that also generates wide debate in Brazil: a recent survey by Projeto Brief indicated that 80% of Brazilians support the creation of standards to protect young people in the digital environment.
With this policy overhaul, Starmer emphasized that the sweeping changes will “restore children’s childhoods.” The head of government detailed the actions aimed at applications such as Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram, and also at gaming platforms that facilitate interaction between strangers and child users.
At a press conference, Starmer justified the decision, stating: “It is clear to me that a total ban is the appropriate measure.” He further added that the change “will make a substantial difference, making our children safer, happier, giving them more time, more stability, more autonomy to grow and more opportunities.”
The British government reported that it intends to follow a model similar to that already adopted by Australia, which established a similar restriction in December of the previous year.
The ban will cover platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and X. However, messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will be left out of the new regulation.
In addition to the ban, the UK plans to introduce “innovative blocks” on potentially harmful features such as live broadcasts and the possibility of communication between children under 16 and strangers.
Starmer publicly questioned the hearings: “Is there any circumstance in everyday life where you would allow your child to connect with a stranger, an unknown adult? No, and that is why we are moving in this direction.”
Predictions for the entry into force of the new legislation in the United Kingdom
The government already holds the authority to initiate proceedings for any ban, as indicated by Starmer. Detailed regulations are expected to be developed by the end of the year, with the ban expected to be fully in force around next spring.
In recent years, the United Kingdom has progressively stepped up its oversight of technology companies, encouraging or forcing them to implement age checks, adjust their algorithms and, more recently, prevent children from sharing intimate images on mobile devices.
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However, faced with growing concern about the mental health impacts of children spending excessive time online, Starmer opted for even stricter measures, after conversations with parents and analysis of evidence obtained from Australia.
The prime minister, who is preparing for a possible challenge to his leadership in the coming weeks, emphasized that the population justifiably expects intervention from the government.
Australia stood out as the pioneer nation by banning the use of social networks for children under 16, blocking access to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube (from Alphabet) and Instagram and Facebook (from Meta) in the previous December.
Since then, several countries around the world have expressed their intention to regulate access to social networks, motivated by growing concerns about the effects on the health and safety of young people.
Results of the vast public consultation on the topic
To inform the decision, the United Kingdom conducted a wide consultation with educators, guardians and young people about new restrictions. Among the proposals discussed were the possible ban on children under 16, the imposition of time limits for using applications and the restriction of design features considered addictive by the government.
The public consultation generated more than 116,000 responses, from parents, industry representatives and young people. Of these participants, more than 83% of those responsible who responded agreed that the risks associated with social media outweigh the benefits, and 90% supported the implementation of a minimum age of 16 for access to these platforms.
Despite strong support from many parents and politicians for the ban, some psychology experts and researchers have expressed doubts about the measure’s effectiveness, arguing that there is no concrete evidence that it works. Additionally, a group of students in London, speaking to Reuters, described their relationship with technology as complex and ambivalent.
