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Internet: Age Assurance

Asked by Bell Ribeiro-AddyLabourDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 7 September 2026UIN 26619

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is planning to use powers under the Online Safety Act to enforce planned minimum age requirements.

Answered by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Following the Government's recent consultation, Growing up in the online world, it was announced in June 2026 that government are banning social media companies from offering their services to under-16s.

We are aiming for regulations on the social media ban to be laid before Parliament under the powers of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 by the end of this year, with the restrictions in effect from Spring 2027.

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