Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that children under the age of 16 will be banned from social media, describing it as a "big moment for our country." The announcement was made during a Downing Street press conference, where Starmer highlighted the negative impact of social media on children's happiness and mental health.
Government's Stance on Children's Safety
Sir Keir stated that he would not compromise on the "safety and happiness of our children." He expressed confidence that the ban could be effectively implemented, though he acknowledged that some children might find ways to bypass it. The measure is expected to come into force by early next year.
Additional Measures on Gaming and Live Streaming
The government also plans to take "world-leading" action on gaming and live streaming platforms to prevent strangers from contacting children. Starmer emphasized that a full ban on under-16s accessing social media sites was "the right choice."
The Prime Minister, a father of two, said: "This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong. But Government is always about choices, and it's clear to me that a full ban is the right choice."
Personal Perspective from the Prime Minister
Starmer added: "I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we're thinking about this issue. All I've ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, and I think that's what any parent wants."
He questioned: "Do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? Do we truly believe that it's a place where they can feel safe? I don't think I even need to answer those questions, do I? Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy."
Starmer argued that social media "makes it easier for bullies to harass and abuse" children and "could even be harming their mental health – exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that's what grabs the attention."
The announcement was met with applause from campaigners invited to No 10 to hear his speech.
