The UK government is set to announce a ban on social media access for children under 16, alongside restrictions on livestreaming and disappearing messages. The proposed order may also include social media curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds, though the specific platforms affected have not been disclosed.
The measures are designed to prevent communication between minors and adult strangers. For the music industry, where social platforms serve as a vital channel for discovery and fan connection, the ban could pose a significant challenge for emerging artists seeking to reach teenage audiences in one of the world’s largest music markets.
A government-led “national conversation” survey on children’s internet safety drew over 116,000 responses. Among parents, 89% supported a legal minimum age requirement for social media access.
Several countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia, have already enacted similar bans. Others, such as Portugal, Greece, France, Denmark, Canada, and Spain, are developing comparable legislation.
