The United Kingdom government is considering introducing a ban on social media use for children under 16 as part of broader efforts to address concerns about excessive screen time and online safety.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the proposal is being examined during ongoing consultations on regulating children’s access to platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

Starmer noted that the government is also reviewing additional measures, including app curfews, time limits and restrictions on algorithm-driven feeds, which he said contribute 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 the government, the consultation aims to better understand how social media affects children’s sleep, education and family life, amid growing concerns from parents about online habits.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the review had already received tens of thousands of public responses, with submissions still open from parents, teenagers and families on issues including curfews, AI chatbots and platform design features.

The debate comes as several countries tighten rules on children’s access to social media. Australia has already implemented a ban for users under 16, while Greece and Indonesia have introduced similar restrictions.

The UK government said no final decision has been taken, adding that the consultation process will guide future policy on how social media platforms operate for younger users and whether stricter age-based limits should be introduced.