Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for individuals under 16 in the UK. The Prime Minister stated that such platforms make children unhappy and expose them to dangerous content.
Some charities welcomed this change, but others expressed concerns about teenagers’ safety online. The ban will affect platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. However, messaging services like WhatsApp will remain unaffected.
The government plans to pass the regulation by late December, with the ban set to take effect within months next year. Starmer cited Australia’s recent decision as inspiration for this move.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the UK’s announcement on social media platforms, stating that global cooperation is necessary to hold tech giants accountable and protect children online.
Canada and France are also considering similar bans, while Indonesia has already enforced its ban for users under 16 since March. The US might be affected by this move, as President Donald Trump recently criticized “broad social media bans” in the UK.
The announcement follows a government-led consultation where British teenagers tested social media restrictions and time limits on apps. This consultation received about 116,000 contributions, making it the largest ever recorded under the system.
More than four-fifths of parents who responded believed that the risks associated with social media outweighed its benefits for children, with 91% supporting a minimum age of 16. However, Save The Children UK and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children warned about the need for robust age checks on platforms and effective enforcement.
TikTok and YouTube expressed support for safer online experiences for teens but cautioned that blanket bans could push children towards less safe services. If companies fail to implement necessary safety features, legislation may be introduced to force them to do so.