Britain to Tighten AI and Child Safety Laws
The UK government is preparing new legislation that could introduce an Australian-style social media ban for children under 16 as early as this year. The move is part of wider efforts to strengthen online child protection and close regulatory gaps in artificial intelligence oversight.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration recently launched a public consultation on restricting social media access for minors. Officials are now working on amendments that would allow rapid implementation of the policy once the consultation period ends.
Global Pressure on Social Media Platforms
The debate has gained momentum internationally after Australia became the first nation to block social media access for users under 16. Similar proposals are now being discussed in Spain, Greece and Slovenia.
Scrutiny of online platforms intensified following controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, which was reported to have generated non-consensual sexualised images. The incident highlighted concerns about gaps in AI regulation and child safety protections.
Online Safety Act Loophole Under Review
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that the government plans to close a loophole in the Online Safety Act 2023.
Although the act is considered one of the strictest online safety frameworks globally, it currently does not regulate one-to-one interactions between users and AI chatbots unless content is shared publicly. Kendall stated that this gap would be addressed to ensure better safeguards for young users.
She expressed concern that some children are forming personal relationships with AI systems that were not designed with adequate child safety measures.
The government is expected to present formal proposals before June.
