The United Kingdom is advancing measures to ban children under 16 from using social media and to close legal loopholes related to AI chatbots, with enforcement expected as early as this year.
Foreign news agencies reported on 16 Feb 2026 that the UK may begin enforcing a ban on social media use for children under 16, similar to Australia, as early as this year, and will close legal loopholes that allow certain AI chatbots to avoid safety regulations.
This move is part of the UK government's efforts to control digital risks affecting young people.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government began discussions last month about banning social media use for under-16s and is working on legal amendments to implement these changes within months after concluding talks.
Spain, Greece, and Slovenia have also indicated they are working on similar social media bans, following Australia becoming the first country to block under-16s from accessing social networks.
Negative sentiment toward social media increased further after it was found that Grok, Elon Musk's main AI chatbot, could edit users' images from X into pornographic content without the owners' consent.
The UK is pushing forward on this ban despite having the 2023 Online Safety Act, one of the strictest safety frameworks worldwide, which still does not cover one-on-one interactions with AI chatbots unless data is shared with other users.
Technology Minister Liz Kendall said the loophole will soon be closed, emphasizing that the UK cannot allow regulatory gaps to persist after nearly eight years of parliamentary approval and enforcement of this act.
“I am concerned about these AI chatbots... like the Prime Minister, regarding their impact on children and young people,” Kendall told Times Radio, noting some children are forming one-on-one relationships with AI systems not designed with child safety in mind.
Kendall told British media on Monday (16 Feb) that tech companies must be responsible for ensuring their systems comply with UK law.
The government may consider automatic data retention measures after a child's death to help investigators preserve crucial online evidence. They will also review restrictions on “stranger matching” on gaming platforms and block the sending and receiving of pornographic images.
The new measures will be proposed as amendments to current criminal and child protection laws under parliamentary consideration.
Kendall acknowledged that some child protection groups worry these restrictions might push harmful activities into less controlled spaces or create a sudden “cliff edge” for children turning 16. She emphasized that the government still needs to legally define what constitutes social media before any ban takes effect.
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Source:cna