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Growing up in the online world: a national consultation
02 March 2026
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement discusses a national consultation aimed at protecting children in the online world by seeking public views on measures to improve children's relationship with the internet, including social media and AI chatbots.
Action Requested
The government is launching a three-month consultation to gather views on establishing a minimum age of access to social media, protecting children from AI chatbots, and restricting harmful or addictive functionalities. They will also table amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to enable swift regulatory action based on the consultation findings.
Key Facts
- The consultation will run for three months.
- The government will explain proposed next steps by the Summer.
- Amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will enable regulations to restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media.
- Live pilots will be run with teenagers to test interventions such as social media bans and daily screentime limits.
- The consultation will involve community events, MP-led local conversations, and engagement through schools and civil society organisations.
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