UK police chiefs have called for social media platforms deemed unsafe to be blocked for under-16s. The National Crime Agency and National Police Chiefs' Council highlighted features like private messaging and age-checks as major concerns.

The move comes amid a government consultation on online safety, with tech firms urged to protect young users or face penalties from Ofcom.

While the UK is considering options including app curfews and bans, Australia already has a total social media ban for under-16s. The NCA cites growing reports of child sexual abuse as evidence of the need for stricter measures.

However, some charities warn that blocking methods could hinder efforts to detect online grooming. Meanwhile, tech firms like Instagram have started disabling end-to-end encryption in direct messages.