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Social Media: Children

Asked by Neil CoyleLabourDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 18 February 2026UIN 112163

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department is planning to take to ensure that social media sites adhere to their 13+ rule of access.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services, including social media platforms, to protect children from illegal content, harmful content and age-inappropriate content.

The government has announced a consultation and national conversation to gather evidence to understand how best we can build on the Act’s provisions to ensure children have positive, enriched digital lives. The consultation will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is.

We will act on the findings of the consultation.

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