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Minister promises 'some form' of social media restrictions for under-16s

media restrictions for under-16s The government will "impose some form of age or functionality restrictions" on social

Ministers open-minded on shape of UK social media limits, Phillipson says

restrictions” on social media for under-16s. There have been widespread calls for an Australia

'I can't stop using it' - under-16s have their say on possible social media ban

social media should be restricted, or even banned altogether, for under-16s in the UK. Iga, 14, has seen

MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s a second time

restrict social media access for under-16s, introduce a ban on phones in schools and prohibit

Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children's safety

restrict the most harmful platforms for under-16s." [Recent research](https://mollyrosefoundation.org/more-than-60-of-australian-children-still-using-social-media-despite-ban-for-under-16s-research-shows/) from internet safety charity the Molly Rose Foundation found more than 60% of underage Australians are still using social media

Social media executives deny platforms are inherently addictive to children

16s to have access to many social media sites, among other potential restrictions. Rebecca Stimson

Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms

social media ban for under-16s [to protect children from the “digital wild west”](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/04/spain-under-16-social-media-ban-elon-musk-insults), while French lawmakers have voted for similar restrictions

Starmer tells social media firms in No 10 meeting ‘things can’t go on like this’

restrictions on platforms, including an [Australia-style ban](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/09/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-begins-apps-listed) for under-16s. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram, and Google owns YouTube. The government is [consulting on](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/19/uk-ministers-launch-consultation-into-whether-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s) setting a firm social

Contingency plans in place for possible food shortages if Iran war continues, minister confirms – UK politics live

restricting social media for teenagers. Last night, for the second time, [MPs rejected a proposal to ban under-16s

Esther Ghey's dismay over PM meeting tech bosses first

restrictions for youngsters has received more than 45,000 responses since its launch in March. While plans to prevent children's usage have drawn support in many quarters, others warn that youngsters could circumvent

UK government move to delay social media ban faces pushback in Lords

restrictions, Critics warn it risks watering down earlier commitments to act within months and could result in only limited interventions such as parental controls rather than sweeping measures on access. Campaigners are urging the Lords

Communications minister Anika Wells repays $10,000 in incorrect travel expenses

social media ban for under 16s at a United Nations event. Wells faced weeks of criticism and media scrutiny around her use of taxpayer funds for official travel and family reunion entitlements, including to attend