The UK’s Children’s Commissioner is urging the government to extend proposed social media restrictions beyond under-16s to include 17-year-olds amid growing concerns about online harm.
The UK’s Children’s Commissioner is reportedly calling for planned social media restrictions to be extended to 17-year-olds, arguing that older teenagers remain vulnerable to many of the same online risks facing younger users.
As The Telegraph reports, the proposal comes as the British government considers tougher measures to protect children online, including possible restrictions on access to certain social media platforms and features. The push follows growing concern about the impact of social media on mental health, cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation.
Supporters of stricter rules argue that turning 17 does not suddenly make teenagers immune to online dangers. They believe extending protections could help reduce exposure to harmful content and addictive platform features that many experts say can negatively affect young people.
As the source of the news reports, the Children’s Commissioner believes the conversation should focus on safeguarding teenagers rather than drawing arbitrary age lines. The comments arrive as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government explores broader online safety reforms and considers measures similar to those adopted or proposed in countries such as Australia and several European nations.
Critics, however, warn that wider bans could prove difficult to enforce and may push teenagers toward less regulated online spaces. The debate is expected to intensify as the government weighs its next steps on digital safety policy.
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