UK Terror Watchdog Calls for Australian-Style Social Media Ban to Protect Teenagers

Senior independent reviewer urges Britain to consider under-16 platform restrictions amid online harms and radicalisation concerns

Britain’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has made a public appeal for the United Kingdom to consider enforcing an Australian-style ban on social media access for children under the age of sixteen, citing the internet’s role in exposing young people to violent content and online radicalisation.

Jonathan Hall KC described the digital environment as a “portal to horrific acts of violence” and argued that current voluntary safeguards by major technology companies have failed to shield teenagers from harm, urging policymakers to “take back control” through regulatory action that mirrors Australia’s newly implemented restrictions.

Australia’s legislation, which came into effect on December ten, obliges major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X and Facebook to prevent under-sixteen-year-olds from holding accounts or face fines of up to forty-nine and a half million Australian dollars, positioning Canberra’s approach as the first of its kind globally and a reference point for other nations.

Hall acknowledged that Australia’s model is “partial and circumventable” but contended it has “echoes of other improving social legislation” such as mandatory seat belts and smoking bans, reinforcing the case for legislative intervention to better protect youth.

His call has reignited debate in the UK about digital harms and the adequacy of existing consumer protections, with some policymakers reportedly reviewing the Australian example as a potential framework.

Opponents of such sweeping restrictions raise concerns about enforcement challenges and privacy implications, but proponents maintain that legislative clarity would compel platforms to prioritise children’s safety in ways that voluntary measures have not achieved.

The discussion comes as digital age-verification and online safety remain prominent issues within broader UK policy considerations on technology regulation, child wellbeing and national security.