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Written question asked by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Social Media: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether proposals on children’s online safety will apply to social media platforms, video-sharing platforms, gaming platforms, livestreaming services, encrypted messaging services and AI chatbots; and whether she plans to publish a list of services, functionalities and risk factors determining whether age restrictions and additional safety duties apply.

Answer

On 15 June, the government announced its intention to ban social media companies from offering their services to under 16s. The government aims to use the same definition of social media as Australia, which covers user to user platforms whose purpose is to enable social interaction, and which allow users to post material alongside algorithms.

Additional restrictions on risky functionalities such as stranger communication and livestreaming will apply across a wider range of services for under-16s, with default-on restrictions for 16–17-year-olds. This includes gaming services.

Chatbots primarily for sexual relationships, and sexually explicit features on general-purpose chatbots, will not be available to under-18s.

Further details will be set out in regulations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10624
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Children Protection Safety Social media Age assurance
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk