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Politics
Jun 09, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

UK Pushes Ahead with Under‑16 Social Media Ban Despite US Objections, Says No 10

AI Summary
The UK government says it will move forward with an under‑16 social‑media ban and broader tech restrictions, undeterred by a warning from the US embassy. Liz Kendall emphasized British children’s safety as the priority, while the US warns the measures could burden American platforms.

The British government will announce an under‑16 social‑media ban next week, reaffirming its commitment to protect young people despite a formal objection from the US embassy in London.

Government's Resolve to Enforce Under‑16 Social Media Restrictions

Liz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, told the Guardian she is "not concerned in the slightest" by the Trump administration’s intervention. She said the priority is "British young people" and that the upcoming announcement will include limits on stranger‑chat on gaming platforms and possible restrictions on AI chatbot use.

Poll Numbers Reveal Strong Public Backing

  • Three‑quarters of respondents to a government poll support an under‑16 ban.
  • Nine out of ten parents surveyed back the ban.

Transatlantic Tension Over Online Safety Regulations

The US embassy’s notice warned that age‑gating for 13‑ to 16‑year‑olds "would not work" and cautioned against "one‑size‑fits‑all" restrictions that could impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies. The notice also suggested the UK give parents "robust tools" rather than impose outright bans. The Online Safety Act (OSA) has already attracted criticism in the US, with senior Republican figures labeling it an "online censorship law".

What the Next Week May Bring for UK Tech Firms

Meta has already launched a legal challenge against Ofcom over the OSA’s fines regime, and the UK’s swift rollout of the ban could prompt further judicial reviews. If the ban proceeds, platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat will face immediate access restrictions for users under 16, mirroring Australia’s recent blanket ban.