White House urges UK not to ban social media for under-16s, citing burden on US tech firms

The White House has urged the UK not to ban social media for under-16s, citing disproportionate burdens on US tech firms and arguing for parental controls over government restrictions. UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall rejected the pressure, stating she won't be "swayed" and is focused on British parents, 90% of whom support a ban. A UK decision, influenced by a similar Australian law, is expected during the week of June 15, 2026.

White House opposition to ban

• ▪In a submission to a UK government consultation, the White House opposed "prescribed one-size-fits-all government restrictions".
• ▪The Trump administration has urged the UK not to impose a social media ban for under-16s.
• ▪The US government expressed concern that a UK ban would "impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies".
• ▪The White House argued that parents should be the "first and best line of defense" in managing their children’s social media use.
• ▪The US government argued that technical methods developed to distinguish minors from adults cannot be easily repurposed for younger age thresholds.

UK government consultation response

• ▪UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a decision on a social media ban for under-16s during the week of June 15, 2026.
• ▪UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated she would not be "swayed" by the White House's position on the proposed ban.
• ▪Liz Kendall said she is more concerned with the views of British parents than the White House's submission.
• ▪The UK is also considering measures like limits on "stranger pairing" in games, "infinite scrolling," and overnight curfews.

Parental support for restrictions

• ▪Nine out of ten parents who responded to the UK government's consultation support a social media ban for under-16s.
• ▪The UK government consultation on the proposed ban received tens of thousands of responses from parents backing the decision.

Age verification requirements

• ▪The US government argued that technical methods developed to distinguish minors from adults cannot be easily repurposed for younger age thresholds.
• ▪UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said that any potential ban would require "proper age verification measures" to be effective.

Australian ban precedent

• ▪Australia implemented a social media ban for individuals under 16 in December.
• ▪The UK's potential policy is expected to be more nuanced than Australia's blanket ban.
• ▪Australia's policy is a blanket ban on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat for under-16s.

Implementation challenges

• ▪The UK's Online Safety Act has previously drawn criticism from US figures like Vice President JD Vance over free speech concerns.
• ▪UK ministers are reportedly mindful of the threat of a judicial review over the process of implementing a ban.

4 sources