The United Kingdom plans to ban children under 16 from using TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
The UK government has announced its intention to introduce a ban on the use of social networks by children under 16. The new rules may apply to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. This was stated by the country's Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The British government explains that the restrictions will apply to online platforms whose main function is communication between users and content posting. At the same time, additional protection mechanisms are planned for children and teenagers. The full list of platforms to which the new rules will apply has not yet been published.
In particular, social networks and certain gaming services may be required to limit the ability to conduct live broadcasts for minors. It is also planned to block features that allow third parties to establish contact with users under 16 years old.
For teenagers up to 17 years old, such safety settings will work automatically so that protection does not disappear immediately after reaching the age of 16.
Additionally, the authorities are considering the possibility of introducing night-time restrictions on the use of social networks, as well as mechanisms that will prevent endless scrolling of news feeds by users under 18. The government plans to present details of these initiatives in July.
A separate block of new rules will concern artificial intelligence services. Chatbots offering "virtual romantic partner" functions or simulating intimate relationships and role-playing scenarios will be required to set an age limit of at least 18 years. Access to other similar functions will also be closed for minors.
At the same time, messengers, including WhatsApp and Signal, should not fall under the future restrictions. Currently, most social platforms allow user registration from the age of 13.
According to Keir Starmer, the necessary regulatory documents are expected to be adopted by the government by the end of 2026. If the legislative changes are approved, the new rules may come into effect as early as the beginning of 2027. The Prime Minister emphasized that legal mechanisms for implementing such restrictions already exist in the country.
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