White House Urges UK to Drop Under-16 Social Media Ban as US Tech Faces Compliance Burden
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 9
White House Urges UK to Drop Under-16 Social Media Ban as US Tech Faces Compliance Burden
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 9
Summary
A US submission to the UK’s online-safety consultation opposed banning social media for under-16s, arguing the move would place disproportionate compliance costs on American tech companies.
The White House said age-gating for 13- to 16-year-olds would not work because tools used to distinguish adults from minors cannot simply be adapted to lower age thresholds.
Instead of outright bans, Washington urged Britain to require platforms to provide healthier online experiences and give parents stronger controls over privacy settings and accounts.
Keir Starmer is expected next week to unveil restrictions on “harmful” apps, possible blocks on stranger contact in gaming platforms and limits on AI chatbot use, with some educational exemptions under discussion.
The dispute adds to wider US-UK friction over the Online Safety Act, which Republicans have attacked on free-speech grounds, while Meta is already challenging part of the regime in court.