A month ago, the British government joined a growing number of countries evaluating the possibility of restricting certain social media platforms for children, following Australia's example. Now, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be expediting this process. In a recent post, he stated that the government will explore the possibility of establishing a minimum age requirement for social media use, with the goal of introducing this age limit in the coming months.

Starmer expressed concerns that social media has quietly been harming children, emphasizing the need for new powers to address addictive features on these platforms. This includes the potential regulation of auto-play functions and infinite scrolling that keep children engaged with their screens for extended periods. He has made it clear that if this requires confronting major social media companies, the government is prepared for that challenge.

This initiative highlights a growing awareness of the impacts of digital environments on youth well-being and the responsibility of governments to protect younger users. The push for regulation may not only raise discussions around child safety online but also spark significant debate about freedom of speech and the role of technology companies in society.