• The UK government has initiated a consultation on whether to ban social media for under-16s.
• Following Australia's lead, the UK is grappling with the implications of social media on children's well-being.
• Technology Secretary Liz Kendall highlights the need for parental and young people's input in formulating policies.

The UK government has started a public consultation on the possibility of banning social media access for individuals under the age of 16, inviting opinions from parents, guardians, and children, as well as educators and mental health advocates. This engagement comes in response to rising concerns regarding the impacts of social media on children's mental health and sleep patterns, similar to measures recently adopted in Australia, which was the first country to implement such a ban last December. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized, “We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online...” according to BBC, Reuters, and India Times.

The consultation runs for three months and explores several potential measures, including establishing a minimum age for social media platforms, banning addictive design features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and implementing overnight curfews that would restrict access to these platforms during late hours. The public will have until May 26 to submit their views, and the government intends to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed interventions through pilot programs. This step seeks to create a safer online environment for young users amidst calls for more robust regulations on technology companies, according to BBC, Reuters, and India Times.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports these measures, indicating a push to offer more comprehensive protections for children beyond the already established Online Safety Act, which is only two-and-a-half years old. Experts and children's charities fatigue as they seek effective strategies to counteract the pervasive influence of social media, acknowledging that platforms are predominantly designed to maximize user engagement at the expense of minors' mental health and development. Minister Kendall reiterated the importance of this consultation, aiming to involve all stakeholders, saying, “the path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play...” according to BBC, Reuters, and India Times.