Government opens 3-month consultation on age bans, curfews and AI limits for children
The UK government has opened what it describes as the world’s most ambitious consultation on children’s digital wellbeing, inviting parents, young people and industry to help shape future rules on social media, gaming platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots.
The 3-month consultation, launched on Monday 2 March by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will examine whether stronger measures are needed to protect children online. It closes on 26 May 2026, with ministers expected to respond in the summer.
The review will consider whether to introduce a minimum age for social media use and, if so, what that age should be. It will also explore mandatory overnight curfews, the removal of features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and potential restrictions on children’s access to AI chatbots. The impact of gaming platforms forms part of the consultation, alongside questions about strengthening age verification enforcement.
The government confirmed it will run live pilots with families and teenagers to test how measures such as social media bans, overnight curfews and daily screen time limits might operate in practice. Ministers said these pilots would ensure decisions are grounded in real-world evidence as well as public opinion.
The consultation follows the introduction of the Online Safety Act, which established new protections for users online. However, ministers say there is growing agreement that further action may be required to address concerns about children’s sleep, concentration and mental health.
Parents across the UK have raised questions about screen time, the appropriate age for giving a child a phone, and the type of content children encounter online. Some campaign groups have called for a complete ban on social media for under-16s. Others, including children’s charities, have cautioned that a blanket ban could push young people towards less regulated online spaces or leave them unprepared for digital life.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation aims to ensure children thrive in an era of rapid technological change.
“The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play,” she said. “That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one.”
She added that parents are grappling with decisions about screen time and online exposure, and urged families and young people to take part in shaping future policy.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said technology can create opportunities for learning and connection if the right balance is struck. She confirmed that, alongside the consultation, the government will publish guidance on healthy screen time for children aged five to 16. The guidance is intended to give parents practical tools to support healthier digital habits.
The consultation is open to parents, carers, young people, those who work with children, civil society organisations, academics and industry representatives. Dedicated versions have been developed for young people and for parents and carers to make participation more accessible.
Ministers also announced new legislative powers that would allow the government to act more quickly on the consultation’s findings. The Prime Minister and the Technology Secretary said the proposed powers would enable ministers to respond within months rather than waiting for fresh primary legislation as technology evolves.
Alongside the formal consultation, the government will host what it describes as a wide-ranging national conversation. This will include community events, MP-led local discussions, influencer roundtables and engagement through schools and civil society groups. An academic panel will assess emerging evidence, including international experiences from countries such as Australia.
The consultation forms part of the government’s broader online safety strategy, which also includes a new public campaign and website offering immediate practical support to parents.
Ministers said public responses will determine the next steps in shaping the UK’s approach to children’s digital wellbeing.