Actor Jeremy Allen White is throwing his support behind the United Kingdom’s plan to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, calling the move a necessary step toward addressing what he sees as an increasingly addictive online culture.
The Bear star discussed the issue while promoting his upcoming projects, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning. Speaking with Variety, White applauded the U.K. government’s proposal, saying, “It’s remarkable how addictive this stuff is. I think there needs to be a correction.”
White, who is the father of two daughters, said he hopes to keep his own children away from social media for as long as possible. He added that he’d like to see society return to a more “analog” way of living, where children spend less time online and more time engaging with the world around them.
The UK Is Following Australia’s Example
The actor’s comments come after the U.K. government announced plans for an “Australia Plus” framework that would prohibit children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube. Rather than penalizing children or parents, the proposal places responsibility on social media companies to implement robust age-verification systems and prevent underage users from accessing their services.
The proposed legislation goes beyond a simple age restriction. It would also introduce additional online safety measures for older teenagers, including restrictions on interactions with strangers, limits on certain addictive platform features such as infinite scrolling during late-night hours, and tighter controls on AI chatbots designed for romantic or sexual conversations. Messaging services such as WhatsApp are expected to remain exempt from the full ban.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the policy is designed to “give children back their childhoods” by reducing their exposure to addictive algorithms, harmful content and unwanted contact online. The proposal follows Australia’s landmark under-16 social media law and enjoys strong public backing, with surveys showing overwhelming parental support for stricter protections.
The Move Is Divisive
Not everyone agrees with the approach. Technology companies and some digital rights advocates have questioned whether age-verification systems can be implemented without creating privacy concerns. Others worry that determined teenagers could simply migrate to less-regulated platforms or find ways around the restrictions.
For White, however, the broader goal outweighs those challenges, arguing that the growing influence of social media on young people has reached a point where stronger safeguards are justified.
Whether the U.K.’s proposal becomes a model for other countries remains to be seen, but it has already sparked an international conversation about how best to balance children’s online freedom with their safety.
