White House urges UK not to ban social media for under-16s
Trump administration says restrictions could impose ‘disproportionate’ burden on US tech companies The White House has urged the UK not to impose a social media ban for under-16s, saying such restrictions could impose a “disproportionate” burden on US tech firms. In a submissio
Trump administration says restrictions could impose ‘disproportionate’ burden on US tech companies
The White House has urged the UK not to impose a social media ban for under-16s, saying such restrictions could impose a “disproportionate” burden on US tech firms.
In a submission to a government consultation on online safety, the US government came out against “prescribed one-size-fits-all government restrictions” and “blunt regulatory instruments” to address online harms to children.
The notice, published by the US embassy in London , added that age-gating for 13- to 16-year-olds would not work. “Technical methods developed to distinguish minors from adults cannot simply be repurposed for younger thresholds,” it said.
Instead, the Trump administration called on the UK to give parents “robust tools” to manage their children’s privacy settings and account controls, as well as requiring platforms to offer a healthy online experience “rather than outright bans”.
The UK approach to online safety has been a source of tension between the White House and Downing Street, with the Online Safety Act in particular attracting criticism from across the Atlantic due to free speech concerns. JD Vance, the US vice-president, has said free speech in the UK is “in retreat” while one senior Republican congressman described the act as the “UK’s online censorship law”.
The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, is expected to announce a ban on “harmful” social media apps next week, alongside a range of restrictive measures including the possibility of blocks on conversations with strangers on gaming platforms. Limits on AI chatbot use are also under consideration.
It is not known what “harmful” apps will be banned but there are expected to be exemptions for “educational” platforms, amid reports that YouTube Kids could be carved out of a ban. In Australia there is a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media, meaning popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are all blocked.
