Starmer prepares child social media curbs as pressure mounts on addictive apps

The government is preparing to tighten restrictions on children’s social media use after a consultation that drew more than 81,000 responses, with ministers expected to target the design of major platforms rather than impose a blanket ban for under-16s.

New measures under consideration include restrictions on autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, push notifications, overnight access and other features critics argue are designed to keep children online for longer.

The expected approach marks a significant shift away from the Australian model, which introduced a nationwide ban on social media for under-16s last year.

Keir Starmer said this week that ministers would act “very quickly”, following the close of the consultation on Tuesday.

“The question now is not whether we do something, we are going to act,” the prime minister said. “I’m absolutely clear that this needs to be something where there’s a game changer.”

The intervention comes amid mounting pressure from MPs and child safety campaigners who argue social media platforms have become too powerful – and too addictive – for existing regulation to contain.

More than 60 MPs have backed calls for stronger age restrictions, while former health secretary Wes Streeting this week compared social media harms to smoking.

But despite growing support for tougher rules, ministers appear increasingly reluctant to pursue an outright ban.

Officials are understood to be concerned both about enforceability and the risk of simply pushing young people toward harder-to-regulate corners of the internet.

Research published this week by The Harris Poll UK found that while 78 per cent of UK adults supported banning under-16s from social media, most respondents said they did not believe children would actually stop using it.

Three-quarters expected teenagers to lie about their age or use fake accounts, while 72 per cent believed young users would find technological workarounds.

Around two-thirds said restrictions could ultimately drive children toward less visible and potentially riskier online spaces.

The findings have reinforced a growing view inside government that platform design may now be the real cause for concern.

Scrutiny turns to harmful design

For years, online safety debates have centred primarily around content moderation, such as removing illegal content and limiting exposure to harmful posts.

The focus is now shifting toward the mechanics underpinning the platforms themselves.

Features such as endless feeds, auto-play videos and “streaks” are increasingly viewed by regulators as systems deliberately engineered to maximise attention and engagement, particularly among younger users.

Ministers are also considering app curfews and limits on social media use during school hours.

The consultation additionally explored whether the UK should raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16, potentially limiting platforms’ ability to process children’s data and personalise algorithmic recommendations.

Tech secretary Liz Kendall has repeatedly hinted that ministers favour a broader package of interventions over a simple ban.

Earlier this year, she said the government would do “whatever it takes to keep kids safe online”, including looking at app caps and overnight restrictions.

Leanne Proctor, regulatory lead at the Online Responsibility Network, said any future restrictions would still depend heavily on enforcement by tech companies themselves.

“Any ban is not a silver bullet for online harms,” she said.

“This proposed ban for under-16s could be a popular and a powerful message to platforms, but it needs to be supported by targeting specific harmful features too.”