Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what criteria she will use to designate social media platforms included in a ban for those under 16 years of age; and whether she will regularly review the criteria for inclusion.

Keeping children safe online is a priority for this government. That is why the Secretary of State announced a ban on social media platforms offering their services to under-16s.

We aim to use the same model as Australia. This means capturing user to user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, which allow users to post material alongside algorithms. A narrowly defined list of exemptions, including messaging and educational services, will also be set out and kept under review.

The Secretary of State will set out the final criteria in regulations that she brings forward before the end of 2026.