UK Government Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-16s and Regulate AI Chatbots

Britain is poised to implement an Australian-style ban on social media for children under 16, potentially as early as this year. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to address the increasing digital risks faced by young people. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration has initiated a consultation process regarding this ban, which aims to close existing loopholes that currently exempt certain AI chatbots from safety regulations. The government is keen to expedite legislative changes following the conclusion of this consultation.

The proposed ban follows similar measures taken by Australia, which became the first nation to restrict social media access for minors. Other countries, including Spain, Greece, and Slovenia, are also exploring similar restrictions. The urgency of these measures has been underscored by recent incidents involving AI chatbots, such as Elon Musk's Grok, which was reported to generate inappropriate content, raising concerns about the safety of children interacting with such technologies.

Britain's Online Safety Act, regarded as one of the strictest safety frameworks globally, currently does not encompass one-to-one interactions with AI chatbots unless they share information with other users. Technology Minister Liz Kendall has highlighted the necessity of addressing this regulatory gap, stating that the government cannot afford to leave such vulnerabilities unaddressed, especially after the lengthy process it took to enact the Online Safety Act.

Kendall expressed her concerns regarding the impact of AI chatbots on children, noting that many young users are forming personal relationships with these systems, which were not designed with child safety in mind. The government plans to unveil its proposals before the summer, aiming to ensure that tech companies are held accountable for compliance with British law.

In addition to the social media ban, the government is considering implementing automatic data-preservation orders in cases of child fatalities, allowing investigators to secure crucial online evidence. This measure has been a long-standing request from bereaved families. The consultation will also explore potential regulations to limit "stranger pairing" in gaming environments and to prevent the exchange of explicit images among minors.

While these measures are intended to protect children, they may inadvertently affect adults' privacy and access to services, leading to potential conflicts with free speech and regulatory frameworks, particularly in relation to the United States. Some adult websites have opted to block British users rather than comply with age verification requirements, a situation that could be exacerbated by the proposed restrictions on virtual private networks for minors.

Support for a social media ban among parents and child safety advocates is significant, yet there are concerns from some child protection groups that such a ban could drive harmful activities into less regulated areas or create a stark divide at the age of 16. The government acknowledges the need to clearly define what constitutes social media before any ban can be effectively enforced.

• The UK government plans to ban social media for under-16s, following Australia's lead.

• Legislation aims to close loopholes in AI chatbot regulations.

• Automatic data-preservation orders for child fatalities are under consideration.

• Concerns exist about the impact of these measures on adult privacy and access.