The United Kingdom government is currently exploring the implementation of a social media ban for children under the age of 16, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer asserting that "no option is off the table" in their efforts to safeguard young people online. This initiative builds upon the existing Online Safety Act, which came into force in July 2025, aiming to protect under-18s from harmful content through robust age verification and content moderation. However, the government believes further action is necessary to address concerns regarding the mental health and well-being of children exposed to addictive social media features and inappropriate content. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a comprehensive consultation, which will delve into various proposals. These include determining the appropriate minimum age for social media access, improving the accuracy of age assurance mechanisms, and assessing whether the current digital age of consent is too low. The consultation will also examine the possibility of restricting or removing functionalities designed to foster compulsive use, such as "infinite scrolling" and "streaks". The government's consideration is heavily influenced by international precedents, particularly Australia, which enacted a world-first social media ban for minors under 16 in December 2025. UK ministers are slated to visit Australia to gather insights and learn from their approach to enforcement and implementation. This week, the House of Lords is expected to vote on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which, if successful, would mandate social media platforms to prevent under-16s from using their services within a year of the bill's passage. The debate reflects growing national and international concern over the pervasive impact of social media on children's development and mental health.