UK Considers Australia-Style Social Media Ban

The UK has launched a consultation on a plan to institute a ban on social media for anyone under 16 years old. They have also announced a consultation.

Australia's own social media ban was passed in November 2024 and came into effect in December 2025. Since it was announced, numerous countries have expressed interest in replicating it to various degrees.

The UK already passed the Online Safety Act in 2023, which has already been met with widespread criticism over the implementation and secondary impacts (such as shuttering smaller communities and concerns about free speech). Still, it seems that some feel the Act doesn't go far enough.

In addition to the consultation, the UK government is also considering how to enforce the proposed ban, how to limit tech companies from accessing children's data, and other obstacles. Some ministers are also set to visit Australia to see how the existing ban has worked out there.

Our primary source claimed that the government was seeking public comment, but despite extensive search I was unable to find anywhere to submit public comments. If any of you find such a portal, please let us know.