UK Plans to Ban Under-16s from Using Social Media, Leading the World in Blocking Live Streaming

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, 15th) The UK government announced today that it will follow Australia's approach by banning individuals under the age of 16 from using social media. It will also become the first country in the world to block 'harmful' functions such as live streaming and unsolicited contact from strangers on various online and gaming platforms for users under 16.

According to information released by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, social media platforms subject to the ban include TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat. Messaging-focused platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal are excluded from the ban.

The blocking of 'harmful' features like live streaming and contact from strangers extends beyond social media to include gaming and various online platforms.

This means that even if a particular online platform is deemed relatively safe for under-16s, users under 16 will still not be allowed to use live streaming functions.

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology stated that the bans and restrictions will be automatically enabled by default for users under 16 and those aged 16 to 17, to prevent abrupt gaps in child protection mechanisms.

Additionally, the government plans to consider introducing an online usage 'curfew' for those under 18 and implement a feature to interrupt infinite automatic page loading.

So-called 'romance partner' chatbots (including role-playing and simulating intimate relationships) will also be required to set a minimum age of 18 for use. Details are expected to be announced in July.

The UK government plans to gradually implement the policy guidelines announced today. Some measures will be implemented in advance based on the 'Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act' passed in April last year. This means the government expects to launch the first phase of regulatory enforcement by next spring.

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said it will draw on Australia's experience to introduce more effective age verification mechanisms. The communications regulator Ofcom will propose relevant methods as soon as possible.

Australia became the first country in the world in December last year to ban under-16s from using social media. The UK government's measures announced today go further than Australia's, not only banning social media use but also restricting specific functions on other online platforms, expanding the scope of regulation from 'platforms' to 'functions' and 'user behaviors'.

It remains unclear how the UK government intends to fully address technical loopholes such as 'tunneling' software (VPNs). Australian experience shows that some teenagers actively seek 'workarounds' to bypass social media bans.

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall issued a statement saying tech companies had countless opportunities to act to protect minors but consistently failed to do so, which is why the government must reclaim power from these tech giants and return it to parents.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also delivered a speech this morning at Downing Street on the new social media restrictions.

The UK government completed a public consultation on the related policies about three weeks ago. Results showed that as many as nine out of ten parents support a social media ban for under-16s. Additionally, as many as two-thirds of young people agree that under-16s should not be allowed to use certain social media platforms. The public consultation process received over 116,000 responses in total. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150615