UK moves to ban social media use for children under 16
The United Kingdom is set to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, describing online platforms as harmful to young people’s wellbeing.
According to Starmer, the proposed legislation will block under-16s from using major social media services, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging applications such as WhatsApp, however, will be exempt from the restrictions.
The British prime minister argued that social media platforms expose children to dangerous content and are intentionally designed to be addictive.
“We will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16,” Starmer said, adding that the government hopes to pass the legislation by December, with implementation expected in the spring of next year.
The UK government also signalled plans to tighten regulations on gaming services and live-streaming platforms that allow interactions between children and strangers online. Additional measures under consideration include overnight curfews and limits on infinite scrolling for users under 18, with further details expected in July.
Starmer said the policy was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to prohibit children under 16 from using social media in December.
The announcement follows a government consultation in which British teenagers tested app restrictions and social media bans. The exercise generated around 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest public consultation in the country’s history.
According to the government, more than 83 per cent of parents who participated said the risks of social media outweighed its benefits for children, while 91 per cent supported setting the minimum age at 16.
Reacting to the proposal, YouTube warned that a blanket ban could drive children toward less regulated online spaces.
Beyond social media, the government is also moving to strengthen child safety online. Last week, officials directed technology companies, including Apple and Google, to introduce tools within three months to prevent children from sending, receiving or accessing nude images on their devices.
Authorities warned that legislation would be introduced if companies fail to comply.
The government said the measures are aimed at protecting children from coercion, abuse and sextortion, while also limiting access to pornography and making it harder for predators to target minors online.
The UK joins a growing number of countries tightening digital safety regulations for children. Canada recently introduced legislation proposing similar restrictions on social media access for under-16s, while Indonesia began enforcing its own ban for children under 16 in March. Several European nations are also considering comparable measures.
