UK ministers will visit Australia to gather information on the first-ever social media ban for children under 16, which was implemented last month.
Published on January 20, 2026
The UK Government has launched a consultation on implementation Australian-style ban on social media For children in the UK, as well as other measures to protect minors online.
The government said on Monday it would investigate Evidence from around the world on a wide range of suggested proposals, including looking at whether a social media ban for minors would be effective, and if one was introduced, how best to make it work.
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UK ministers will visit Australia, which last month became the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s, hoping to learn first-hand. An Australian perspectiveThe UK government said in a statement.
“The consultation will consider options including extending the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews and banning potentially addictive design features such as ‘streaks’ and ‘infinite scrolling’,” the government said.
The UK announcement comes as governments and regulators around the world grapple with a rapid explosion of AI-generated content, which was highlighted by an international outcry over reports this month. Elon Monster’s girlfriend Sam Creating non-consensual sexual images, including children.
The UK has already planned an outright ban Artificial intelligence nudification toolsWhile working to prevent children from being able to capture, share or view nude images on their devices, Monday’s statement said.
“We are committed to ensuring that technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them – and to give every child the childhood they deserve,” said UK Secretary of State Liz Kendall.
The UK’s announcement did not mention a specific age limit for social media use, but the statement said it was looking for a ban “for children under a certain age”, in addition to other measures, such as better age checks and whether the current digital age of consent of 13 years is too low.
The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Cammy Badenoch, has already said her party would introduce a social media ban for under-16s if in power, the UK’s PA Media news agency reported.
Badenoch, PA reports that Prime Minister Keir Starr’s Labour-led government has delayed further planned consultations after his leadership accused him of not having the “bones” to implement a social media ban.
“The Prime Minister is trying to copy the announcement made by the Conservatives a week ago and it’s still not going well,” Badenoch said.
“This is yet more indifference and delay from Starmer and the Labor Party who have completely run out of ideas.”