- The government has set out several social media apps it intends to ban for under-16s as part of new reforms.
- Platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among those to be restricted.
- AI 'romantic companion' chatbots, designed to simulate sexual relationships, will also have to enforce a minimum age of 18.
- The government has said messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be included in the ban.
- Speaking on the platforms included in the government ban, the prime minister’s official spokeswoman said: “We are keeping the list under review. We'll set out more details next month with the final platforms that were included, but as of now we are basing our plans on the Australian model, and so those platforms are mirrored accordingly.”
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