The UK Prime Minister has announced impending changes aimed at regulating children's use of social media, signaling that technology companies will not receive leniency in safeguarding minors on their platforms. Proposed measures include a ban on social media for users under 16 and restrictions such as app curfews. These actions are part of a broader initiative to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children online, following pressures from various advocacy groups and families affected by online harms.

In addition to limiting underage access, the government plans to tackle the legal loopholes that allow AI chatbots to potentially engage with children in harmful ways. This move reflects a growing concern among parents and lawmakers about the influence of technology on youth, particularly after tragic incidents where families have called for accountability and transparency concerning social media interactions involving their deceased children. The initiatives are being crafted within the framework of the upcoming Children's and Wellbeing Bill, which is intended to provide the government with the necessary legal authority to enforce these changes after completing the imminent consultation process.

Moreover, the government is considering further restrictions, such as the prohibition of virtual private networks (VPNs) for children and limitations designed to curb excessive scrolling on their devices—often referred to as 'doom scrolling.' As the government moves forward with these plans, it underscores a significant shift in the digital landscape, asserting its role in protecting younger users and reshaping norms around social media usage. This legislative push, while aimed at improving child safety, poses challenges and implications for social media companies that will need to adapt their business practices to comply with the new regulations.