The British government is moving forward with social media restrictions for children under 16, even if a full ban does not pass Parliament. The approach comes as a new social media law enters its final legislative stages, with officials consulting on enforcement mechanisms and compliance measures.
The government's strategy signals a shift toward age-gating and usage limits rather than an outright prohibition. This allows the government to claim progress on child safety while preserving flexibility if MPs reject a complete ban.
Details on which platforms face restrictions and how age verification would work remain under consultation. The move reflects growing international pressure to protect young users from harms including mental-health risks, addictive design, and exposure to inappropriate content.
The announcement comes amid broader global efforts to regulate social media. Australia passed an age-ban bill last year. The EU has imposed strict content rules under the Digital Services Act. The U.S. is pursuing state-level restrictions and federal legislation.
The BBC did not report government officials' specific comments on enforcement timelines or which age groups would face the strictest limits.