Overview
- The UK said on Monday that it will bar children under 16 from using major social networks and will use secondary legislation to speed the rules into effect.
- Ministers have asked Ofcom to assess “highly effective” age‑assurance options and the government says initial regulations could start by spring next year.
- The United Arab Emirates’ Cabinet approved a resolution on June 18 that sets 15 as the minimum social media age and gives platforms 12 months to comply.
- Early evidence from Australia’s December ban shows weak enforcement: an NBER study found about 27% of banned 14–15‑year‑olds complied and many used VPNs, shared accounts, browser access or others’ devices to stay online.
- Policymakers face a clear tradeoff because the age checks under consideration — facial age estimation, ID or payment checks and digital IDs — can be invasive and may push children toward gaming, messaging or unregulated services where harms are harder to monitor.