The United Kingdom bans social media for people under 16

However, London’s plan is not limited to traditional sharing platforms, but introduces new limits on various interactive functions, with the aim of exceeding the severity of the regulations of other countries. Minors under the age of 16 will be prohibited from using livestreaming systems and interacting with unknown users in online video games. Specific regulation will also target artificial intelligence software, prohibiting access to chatbots for sentimental purposes to minors under 18 and limiting intimate features on generic AI tools. The executive is even considering the introduction of digital night curfews for minors, the details of which will be presented next month.

The practical implementation of the new rules will be entrusted to the regulator Ofcom, who will have to establish effective age verification systems. The mechanisms will leverage the experience of the Online Safety Act, requiring users to upload official documents, credit cards or use facial scans for demographic estimation. The Secretary of Technology, Liz Kendall, justified the regulatory intervention with the need to take power away from large technology companies, deemed guilty of not having protected minors in recent years. With the first provisions expected for the spring of 2027, the British restrictive line is part of an international framework that sees Europe and North America, with the alignment of Canada, France and Spain, moving towards similar limitations.