Government promises to impose social media restrictions on under-16s: ‘The status quo cannot continue’

NewsUKUK PoliticsGovernment promises to impose social media restrictions on under-16s: ‘The status quo cannot continue’The move has been hailed as a ‘huge step forward in keeping children safe’Harry Taylor & Rhiannon JamesTuesday 28 April 2026 08:23 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966159","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/social-media-ban-children-uk-b2966159.html","title":"Government promises ‘some form’ of social media restrictions for under-16s"}}Related: Australia approves social media ban on under-16sYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more{}The Government is set to introduce “age or functionality restrictions” on social media platforms for under-16s, education minister Olivia Bailey has confirmed. Ms Bailey said that these measures would be "imposed" irrespective of the outcome of an ongoing consultation into the potential harms of social media for children.This commitment follows sustained pressure from the House of Lords. Peers, spearheaded by Tory former education minister and academy chain founder Lord Nash, voted on four separate occasions to compel the Commons to accept a ban on such access.if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", renderedAtParagraph: 3'); }if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", injectedAtParagraph: 3'); }While a consultation on technology access for under-16s was already underway, exploring ideas like age restrictions for social media, gaming sites, and AI chatbots, the government had previously refrained from making any definitive pledges. The latest announcement marks a significant shift towards concrete action.The Government says the ‘status quo cannot continue’ on social media use among children (AFP via Getty Images)Ms Bailey told MPs: “On the remaining question on access to social media, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the Government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded.”“The Government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put beyond any doubt, we are placing a clear statutory requirement that the Secretary of State must rather than may, act following the…

This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at The Independent.