Overview
- The prime minister will set out the measures on Monday, proposing an Australia‑style ban that bars under‑16s from designated high‑risk platforms and limits risky features on other services.
- Proposals reported include curfews and daily use limits for older teens, restrictions on romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and blocks on strangers messaging children in games.
- Ministers point to the consultation’s strong parental support and Internet Watch Foundation data on self‑generated images as reasons for urgent action, and say existing powers could speed implementation.
- Experts and charities warn enforcement will be hard because young people can use VPNs, fake ages and encrypted apps, and they argue product‑design and business‑model reforms are also needed.
- International examples and reactions are shaping UK choices with Australia’s law cited as a model and the US embassy warning that broad age checks could impose heavy compliance burdens on companies.