UK follows Australia to ban social media for under 16s

On 15 June, the government announced that by spring 2027, it will be unlawful for children under the age of 16 to have social media accounts. This move follows a wide public consultation, enforcement of the Online Safety Act by Ofcom and ICO action in enforcing the Children’s Code.

In March, the ICO wrote to TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X and called for them to urgently review and strengthen their age assurance measures to prevent underage children from accessing their services. Organisations now need to be alert to the ICO’s increased appetite to enforce in this field. As our correspondents say, the more sophisticated age assurance technologies collect more data about the individual and therefore face their own data protection risks.

With the resignation of John Edwards, the ICO faces an uncertain time. When will we see the new ICO strategy, mandated by the Data (Use and Access) Act, and when will a new Information Commissioner be in place? DSIT also needs to issue the names of the seven non-Executive Directors for the ICO board. Not an ideal situation for anyone concerned.

In the meantime, DSIT is seeking a “data transfer fellow” for a secondment opportunity. “This role is designed for an ambitious individual to support the work of the team developing the legal mechanisms for data, with models for assessing the impact of current and future interventions in international flows,” DSIT says. Will we soon see some new transfer tools perhaps? The placement will begin in the autumn.

The King’s speech in May did not promise AI regulation but new regulatory sandbox powers. This will allow businesses to test new products and technologies in a controlled environment – to be legislated via the Regulating for Growth Bill. The UK’s sectoral and light-touch AI approach means that organisations may look up to the EU for AI guidance. The EU AI Act’s extra-territorial effect catches many UK organisations, and now there is clarification of “high risk”.

Laura Linkomies
Editor, Privacy Laws & Business

July 2026