The government is consulting on restricting phones, social media and AI chatbots for children. It closes in three weeks.

Over 45,000 responses have already been submitted. The proposals cover push notifications, play streaks, AI chatbots, VPNs and overnight curfews. For parents trying to manage children's screen time at home, the outcome will matter considerably.

By Wistl Editorial · 8 May 2026 · At Home

The government's consultation on children's use of technology, launched in January and building on the Schools White Paper's digital commitments, closes on 26 May 2026. More than 45,000 responses have already been submitted, including from nearly 6,000 young people and more than 80 organisations. The proposals under consideration are more wide-ranging than early coverage suggested, extending well beyond a potential minimum age for social media to cover specific platform features, AI chatbots, VPN services, parental controls and age verification standards. The consultation asks whether adults s