UK to announce social media curbs for teens; tech firms warned

New restrictions on social media for teenagers are imminent in the UK, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expected to announce measures on Monday. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that tech companies have had sufficient time to "get their house in order" and ensure their products are safe for young users. She suggested that firms failing to do so might forfeit their right to market to children.

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more than enough time to get their house in order

Reports indicate the Prime Minister's announcement could include banning under-16s from certain platforms and implementing curfews for older teenagers. However, these proposals have drawn criticism from Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died by suicide after encountering harmful content online. Russell warned that "sledgehammer techniques like bans" could create more problems and expressed dismay, suggesting the policy was rushed for political gain. "If he's playing politics, what he's doing is gambling with young people's lives - and I find that deplorable," he stated.

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not prepared

Nandy declined to preempt the Prime Minister's announcement but affirmed the government's focus on "how, not whether, we better protect children online." She noted that a government consultation revealed majority support for a social media ban for under-16s. While acknowledging that bans in other countries, like Australia, have shown young people finding ways around restrictions, Nandy argued that such measures change the cultural presumption, preventing younger children from assuming access to these platforms. "It significantly changes the culture which is why it is something we have seriously considered and the prime minister will have more to say about that tomorrow," she added.

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they frankly lose the right to market their products towards children