Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that under-16s in the UK will be banned from using social media platforms from early next year. The announcement was made at a Downing Street press conference on Monday morning, where he acknowledged the decision was not taken lightly.
Prime Minister's Statement
Addressing gathered press and campaigners, Sir Keir said a full ban is the right choice and shared his perspective as a parent. "All I've ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, I think that's what any parent wants," he stated.
Implementation Timeline
The Prime Minister confirmed that the government has taken powers to move quickly, with hopes that the regulation could be passed before Christmas and come into effect from the beginning of 2027. The ban will apply to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit, following Australia's example. It will also cover romantic or sexual AI chatbots and block children from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms.
Enforcement and Reactions
Enforcement will fall on platform providers rather than children themselves. Sir Keir dismissed concerns about workarounds like VPNs, comparing it to laws against underage drinking. "Laws are laws but they're also an expression of our values. They shape a social contract," he said.
The Welsh Government stated it is "committed to protecting young people online" and will "carefully assess the implications" of the announcement, particularly on devolved matters such as education and health. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth had previously said action is needed but had no plans to ban phones in schools.
Public Consultation
The public consultation on the issue received about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history. Over 83% of parents said social media risks outweigh benefits for children, with 91% backing a minimum age of 16. Almost two-thirds of children supported restricting high-risk features, though 72% worried about feeling left out.
The Prime Minister also issued a three-month ultimatum to Apple and Google to make it technologically impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images on their smartphones.
