UK Social Media Ban Could Increase Online Risks for Teens — Telegram CEO

UK Social Media Ban Could Increase Online Risks for Teens — Telegram CEO

Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, has intensified his criticism of the United Kingdom’s proposed policy to restrict social media access for users under the age of 16, describing the move as “dangerous” and arguing that it could create unintended risks for teenagers rather than protect them.

The UK government is currently advancing plans to ban under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), as part of a wider online safety framework aimed at reducing children’s exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and online exploitation.

Under the proposal, platforms would be required to enforce strict age-verification systems, which could include government-issued identification checks, facial recognition technology, or bank card verification before users are allowed access.

According to official proposals, the measures form part of the government’s broader push to strengthen the Online Safety Act, with enforcement expected to be overseen by regulator Ofcom and phased in over the coming period.

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Reacting in a series of posts on X, Durov questioned the effectiveness of age-based restrictions, arguing that teenagers are likely to bypass such controls using VPNs and other tools, which he says may expose them to even less regulated and more harmful online environments.

He warned that banning social media outright for teenagers “only puts them in greater danger,” adding that historical attempts to restrict platforms in other countries did not stop usage, but instead pushed users to alternative access methods.

Durov also stressed that parental responsibility remains more effective than government bans, insisting that parents already have tools such as screen-time controls and parental monitoring systems to manage children’s online activity.

He further argued that excessive regulation cannot replace parenting choices, noting that many children are already introduced to digital devices at a very young age without adequate supervision.

The Telegram chief also raised concerns about the privacy implications of mandatory age verification, suggesting that requiring users to prove their identity online could lead to increased data collection and surveillance risks.

He questioned whether the policy was solely about child protection or whether it could also expand government oversight of online users, a point that has added to ongoing debates about digital privacy and regulation in the UK.

The UK government, however, maintains that stronger restrictions are necessary to protect children from online harm, while public debate continues over how best to balance child safety, privacy, and digital freedom in an increasingly connected world.

The proposal is still under consideration, with further details expected as lawmakers refine the framework before implementation.

UK Social Media Ban Could Increase Online Risks for Teens — Telegram CEO