UK Government Consults on Measures to Promote Child Safety Online

At a Glance

• The UK government is considering potentially far-reaching restrictions on children’s access to digital services.
• If implemented, the measures could require significant changes to the design and operation of international technology platforms offered in the UK, including online gaming platforms.
• The scope of potential measures — from age verification to AI chatbot restrictions — is broad; and if delegated powers are granted, implementation could follow rapidly, potentially by late 2026. Online safety is a politically charged issue, and US businesses will need to track a number of rapid-moving international developments over the coming months.

The UK government is seeking industry input on potentially far-reaching restrictions on children’s access to digital services — measures that could require significant platform changes if implemented. The consultation, Growing up in the online world: a national consultation, open until 26 May 2026, covers social media age limits, restrictions on AI chatbot features, and controls on ‘addictive’ design elements such as infinite scroll and autoplay. US platforms operating in the UK, including online gaming platforms with in-game social features, should monitor these developments closely, since they could require changes to product design, age verification systems, and AI safety features.

Wider International Context

The launch of this consultation follows the introduction of a ban on under-16s accessing social media content in Australia, with similar bans being implemented or discussed in a range of other jurisdictions, including Denmark, France, and Spain.

In February 2026, the European Commission announced its Action Plan against Cyberbullying, which includes:

1. An EU-wide app to report cyberbullying
2. A review of the Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines (to strengthen relevant measures to protect young people online)
3. A review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) (to see how cyberbullying on video sharing platforms can be countered)

UK Online Safety Act Chatbot Amendment

Online safety has been a significant issue in recent months in the UK, following criticism of the use of AI chatbots to produce and disseminate inappropriate and at times criminal content. An amendment to the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 will close a loophole to bring AI chatbot providers within scope of the Act and require that they abide by its illegal content duties, including:

1. Conducting illegal content risk assessments
2. Putting protections such as methods for content reporting and removal in place
3. Complying with record-keeping and review requirements

UK Deepfake Detection Evaluation Framework

Similarly, the UK government announced in February 2026 that it was working with major industry players to develop and implement a deepfake detection evaluation framework, to set industry standards on AI detection and notification, and counter the use of harmful and deceptive deepfake content online.

Consultation and Evidence Gathering

The consultation will focus on potential measures to improve safety for children online, including:

• Introducing a minimum age for social media
• Requiring “addictive” features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay to be switched off for younger users
• Restricting AI chatbot features
• Introducing overnight curfews
• Options for strengthening age verification and restricting VPN use

Alongside the consultation, the UK government will run pilot schemes with families to gather real-world data to evidence the impact of key suggested measures.

In March 2026, the UK government has proposed further measures to give ministers significant delegated power to implement secondary legislation in this area, including any of the topics considered by the consultation. These would enable the government to restrict the use of any designated website or category of websites (including social media) as well as, for example, restricting access to VPNs and AI tools.

Next Steps and Key Industry Takeaways

The consultation deadline of 26 May 2026 presents an opportunity for industry engagement. The scope of potential measures — from age verification to AI chatbot restrictions — is broad; and if delegated powers are granted, implementation could follow rapidly, potentially by late 2026. Online safety is a politically charged issue, and US businesses will need to track a number of rapid-moving international developments over the coming months.