The Liberal Democrats have proposed a novel approach to regulating children's access to social media, suggesting film-style age ratings to restrict access to certain platforms. The party's plan would limit access to platforms using addictive algorithmic feeds or hosting "inappropriate content" to users over 16 years old, while sites featuring "graphic violence or pornography" would be restricted to those 18 and older. This proposal aims to avoid the broad consequences of a blanket ban on social media for all under-16s, a measure advocated by the Conservatives.

The Lib Dems argue that this targeted approach would allow young people to engage with age-appropriate content while shielding them from potentially harmful material. This comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently expressed openness to a complete ban, stating that "all options are on the table" and that he would be monitoring the effectiveness of a similar ban recently implemented in Australia.

The Australian law, which took effect in December, mandates that social media companies like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X, and TikTok take "reasonable steps" to prevent children from accessing their platforms. These companies can use methods such as government-issued IDs or facial and voice recognition to verify users' ages.

The debate surrounding children's social media use has intensified amid growing concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. Industry insiders suggest that implementing age ratings could present significant technical challenges, requiring platforms to develop robust age verification systems and content moderation policies.

Culturally, the move could shift the perception of social media from a universally accessible tool to a privilege earned with age, similar to accessing R-rated movies. The audience appeal of this proposal hinges on parents' desire to protect their children from online harms while still allowing them to participate in the digital world. The Lib Dems believe their plan strikes a balance between these competing interests. The next step would likely involve further debate in Parliament and potential pilot programs to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the age rating system.