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

social media for under-16s. There have been widespread calls for an Australia-style ban on children

UK police bosses say unsafe social media platforms should be blocked for under-16s

children to be able to participate online safely and reap the benefits it provides. Their proposals also [fall short of an Australia-style ban on social media

‘A tsunami of harm’: views on tackling online safety for under-16s in the UK

children](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/05/how-uk-may-restrict-social-media-under-16s-time-limits-curfews-ban) will result in some form of action being taken against big tech. Even before the deadline for submissions has passed, ministers have pledged to introduce an Australia-style social media ban

Labour set to announce crackdown on social media for children within weeks

Australia-style social media ban for under-16s believing it would form a “cliff edge” that would expose teenagers to harmful content on unreformed platforms as soon as they are old enough. The Molly Rose

Limit social media ban for under-16s to unsafe apps, Starmer urged

social media apps that do not meet strict safety standards, instead of implementing a broader Australia-style ban. The NSPCC, Molly Rose Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood said tech platforms should not be allowed

Tuesday briefing: Is a social media ban in the UK enough to help protect young people?

social media companies. There’s a growing consensus among online safety campaigners that, rather than implementing an Australia-style lock out, the UK government should instead block under-16s from accessing risky features such

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

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 media age limit alongside potential

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

Australia-style ban has concluded. She told the Commons: "Let us be clear: the status quo cannot continue. We are consulting on the mechanism and that is the right thing

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

children by voting against a ban on social media for under-16s and against removing smartphones from schools. "Other countries are waking up to the harms, but under Keir Starmer the UK is falling behind