Following Australia, several countries are preparing to ban social media for children. Britain has now sought public consultation on such legislation.

Like Australia, social media could be blocked for children in Britain as well. Children under the age of 16 could be banned from using social media. The government has initiated public consultation on this matter. The government will amend existing laws to regulate children's use of social media platforms, and new laws may be implemented in the next few months. Besides Britain, countries like France, Spain, Greece, and Slovenia are also developing similar laws.

The government is also monitoring AI chatbots

Along with social media, the British government is also monitoring AI chatbots. A new Online Safety Act was enacted in 2023, considered the world's most stringent digital safety law. It does not cover one-on-one conversations with AI chatbots. New legislation is now being prepared to address this shortcoming. Technology Minister Liz Kendall stated that AI chatbots are impacting children. Some children are forming direct relationships with AI systems, even though these systems were not designed for children.

Why is social media being banned for children?

Given the harmful effects of social media, it is being banned for children. Research after research shows that social media use is increasing anxiety, depression, insomnia, cyberbullying, and attention deficit disorder. Furthermore, persistent social media use is also linked to weight gain in children. Consequently, governments in one country after another are preparing to ban it.