UK gives social media firms an ultimatum: improve child safety or face an under-16 ban

Britain's Prime Minister summoned major social media executives to Downing Street in April 2026 with a stark warning: strengthen child safety protections or face legislation banning under-16s entirely. The threat leverages new enforcement powers from the Online Safety Act. Australia's 2024 under-16 ban provides the model. A government consultation on children's digital wellbeing will decide whether to pursue a law, tighten existing rules, or empower regulators instead.