The UK will follow in Australia’s footsteps, signalling it will take action to introduce age or functionality restrictions on social media for children under 16.
Education Minister Olivia Bailey informed the House of Commons on Monday (Tuesday AEST) of the government’s plans of taking action.
“The status quo cannot continue,” she told the UK parliament
“We are consulting on the mechanism and that is the right thing to do”.
At present, it is unclear what form the restrictions will take.
Bailey’s address comes as pressure mounts in Parliament.
The House of Lords recently voted 316 to 165 in favour of Conservative former minister Lord Nash’s amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools bill, which would have introduced an outright ban on social media for people under the age of 16.
The House of Commons has rejected previous versions of the bill three times.
“[Ministers have] listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded,” said Bailey.
The government launched a public consultation in March on whether to ban social media for under-16s. Closing in the month, the consultancy invites young people and their parents or guardians to have their say on the matter.
As part of the review, officials are examining features that could encourage excessive social media use, including infinite scrolling and auto play, and the effectiveness of age verification and age assurance technologies.
“The government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put it beyond any doubt, we are playing a clear statutory requirement that the secretary of state must, rather than may, act following the consultation,” continued Bailey.
“This brings forward regulations without pre-empting the consultation’s outcomes and does not ignore the tens of thousands of parents and children who have already engaged with us.”
The Conservatives have been calling for a ban for months. And if the Government follows through with its actions it would see the UK follow in the footsteps of Australia.
On 10 December 2025, Australian teens (under 16) were booted off social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Twitch and more.
