UK To Ban Social Media For Under-16s, PM Starmer Says 'No Compromise To Safety Of Children'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced that the United Kingdom will ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, arguing that the measure is necessary to protect young people from harmful content and excessive screen time.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Starmer said the government would move ahead with a broad restriction covering major social media services used by children and teenagers.

“The government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16,” Starmer said.

The British Prime Minister said the ban was needed to protect the well-being of children. He also signalled that the government was prepared to stand firm against potential opposition from technology

companies affected by the new rules.

The announcement marks one of the most significant online safety measures proposed by the British government and places the United Kingdom among a growing number of countries seeking to impose age-based restrictions on social media use.

According to the Associated Press, Starmer said he would push back if technology companies resisted the move.

“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” he said.

The Prime Minister had previewed the policy ahead of Monday’s announcement.

In a statement released on Sunday, Starmer described online safety as one of the most pressing public policy challenges facing governments today.

“How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time,” he said.

“This is a choice about whose side we’re on, families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”

Starmer also indicated that the government intended to introduce what he described as “world-leading” protections for children online.

According to AP, he suggested that the British approach could be more restrictive than the Australian-style social media ban for children under 16.

Britain’s move comes amid an international push to strengthen safeguards for children online.

Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have either introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions and requirements governing children’s access to social media platforms.

Several other countries, including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea, are studying or developing similar measures.

Reports indicate that the proposed British restrictions could extend beyond traditional social media platforms.

The Sunday Times reported that the government is also considering restrictions on chatbots, features incorporated into some gaming applications and a curfew designed to prevent older teenagers from late-night scrolling.

The decision follows a major public consultation on children’s online safety.

AP reported that the government received approximately 116,000 responses from parents, children and representatives of the technology industry.

Officials said the volume of submissions was second only to the consultation conducted on equal marriage in 2012.