UK Moves Toward Ban on Social Media Use for Under-16s

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that, after weeks of public debate, his government is expected to legislate a ban on social media use for children under 16. According to The Guardian, the bill is due to be introduced before Christmas and could take effect at the start of 2027. Starmer said, "The safety of our children must come first," and added at a Downing Street briefing, "I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, so this ban must happen."

The proposed rules would also extend to gaming platforms and live-streaming apps. Starmer acknowledged the measure would not be perfect and would involve costs, but said, "Governments always have to make decisions, and in my view it is clear that a blanket ban is the right decision." Public pressure for stronger online protections has been growing in Britain, and Starmer said opinion in the country had shifted toward demanding more action to protect children online.

The government launched a consultation in March that drew more than 116,000 responses from parents, young people, industry representatives and experts. According to the consultation data, 90% of participating parents backed setting 16 as the minimum age for social media, and 85% said the risks outweigh the benefits. Some experts, however, pointed to Australia, where a similar ban took effect last December and many teenagers with existing accounts still manage to access platforms despite the restrictions.

The planned ban would apply to major services including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter. The legislation would also require companies to block underage users from live-streaming on various apps, including gaming platforms. Britain has not yet published the final full list of affected services, and it has said messaging apps such as WhatsApp will not be included. The government is also considering a so-called digital curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds to curb late-night social media use, with more details expected in July.