England – The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that social media platforms must implement default restrictions to block users aged 16 and 17 during specific hours.
This regulatory measure aims to restrict access for older teens from midnight to 6 a.m., although users can toggle this feature off. In parallel, a complete ban on social media for children under 16 is set to begin in spring 2027, enforced under the Online Safety Act. These regulations are part of a controversial law mandating age verification for platforms offering adult content.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has highlighted a planned “crackdown” on addictive features within social apps, such as auto-playing videos and endlessly personalized content feeds. These functions will be disabled by default for teenagers, although users can override them.
The comprehensive social media regulations are expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, with an implementation date set for 2027.
DSIT stated that the new proposals aim to provide consistent protection for youth as they transition into adulthood, ensuring that future generations have limited exposure to social media due to the restrictions enforced by the Online Safety Act.
In a statement, UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized: “These measures are crucial for enabling young people to get essential sleep, focus on their education, and spend meaningful time with family and friends, all of which contribute to well-rounded and fulfilling adult lives.”
Kendall added, “We want to empower young individuals with the tools needed to experience the advantages of technology and foster a thriving online environment.”
Additionally, DSIT plans to introduce extra protections concerning artificial intelligence, including mandatory breaks from chatbots for those under 18, who are also likely to be blocked from AI platforms that simulate romantic interactions. The regulatory body will oversee platforms that provide “dangerous or misleading mental health advice,” with potential bans on chatbots that significantly threaten young users in the UK.
Finally, the government intends to enhance children’s media literacy through updated school curricula focusing on AI, technological biases, misinformation, and strategies to identify harmful content.
In recent years, major tech companies have faced a surge of lawsuits amid alarming studies regarding the negative impacts of social media on youth. Advocates worldwide are mobilizing for broader age restrictions, aligning with parental and political consensus on the necessity of protective measures. Notably, the UK government has found that 90% of parents support a legal minimum age for social media access. Similarly, a recent Pew Research Center study revealed that 56% of American adults favor banning social media for users under 16.
However, organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, and GLAAD have strongly criticized these “age restriction” measures, arguing that they oversimplify the issue and could infringe on public access to information and freedom of speech. They caution that lawmakers may misuse these restrictions for censorship, affecting critical resources like sexual education and LGBTQ resources, which hold significant value for teenagers.
Source: www.wired.com