UK eyes rapid ban on social media for under 16s, curbs to AI chatbots

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2026. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

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LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Britain could bring in an Australian-style ban on social media for children ⁠under 16 as early as this year and close a loophole that left some AI chatbots outside safety ‌rules, as part of government efforts to respond more quickly to digital risks.