The United Kingdom is considering a potential ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, as part of broader efforts to address concerns around excessive screen time and online safety.

The proposal, currently under consultation, has been discussed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and forms part of a wider review into how young people access platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

Speaking on the issue, Starmer said the government is exploring a range of measures beyond a potential ban, including app curfews, usage time limits, and restrictions on algorithm-driven content feeds. He described such features as contributing to “addictive scrolling” among young users.

“We’re consulting on whether there should be a ban for under 16s. But equally important, the addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic and they need to go,” he said.

According to government officials, the consultation aims to assess the impact of social media on children’s sleep, academic performance, and family life, while also responding to increasing parental concern over digital habits.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the review has already attracted tens of thousands of responses, with submissions still open to the public.

“We want to hear from parents, teenagers, and families about their experiences and views on curfews, AI chatbots, and addictive features,” Kendall said.

The move comes amid a broader international trend toward stricter regulation of children’s online activity. Australia has already introduced a ban on social media use for those under 16, while Greece and Indonesia have implemented similar restrictions.

The UK government has stressed that no final decision has been reached, noting that the outcome of the consultation will inform future policies on youth access to social media and the possible introduction of stricter age-based limits.