Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 September 2026 (named day). It was answered by Ian Murray (Labour) on Friday, 4 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Social Media: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what checks will be introduced to ensure that no-one under 16 can participate in social media; how such age-checks will be introduced for children without age-screening social media participants; and whether such an age-checking system will constitute digital ID for people engaging in social media.

Answer

The Government is committed to delivering the social media ban for under-16s and strengthening protections for children online. That is why we will require platforms to implement highly effective age assurance (HEAA) to ensure that their services are not offered to under 16s.

Age assurance technologies are already well established, and a range of methods are currently used to provide highly effective age checks, including to establish whether a user is over 18. Ofcom is now carrying out a rapid assessment of what constitutes HEAA for establishing whether someone is over 16.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19788
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Children Internet Proof of identity Social media
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk