Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat have criticised the UK government's plan to ban social media for under-16s, warning it could push teenagers towards more harmful platforms. The ban, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, aims to prevent younger teenagers from using services like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.
A Meta spokesperson said bans risk isolating teens from online communities and driving them to unregulated alternatives lacking built-in protections. YouTube argued that blanket bans push children away from curated, supervised experiences towards anonymous, less-safe services. Snapchat added that an outright ban disconnects teens from private messaging with friends and family, potentially pushing them to less safe platforms.
Starmer, who previously expressed scepticism about the idea, announced the ban at a Downing Street press conference. He stated that social media is making children unhappy, facilitating bullying, and harming mental health. The plan includes preventing under-16s from downloading major platforms and livestreaming, as well as stopping under-18s from using romantic chatbots.
Despite predictions that many teenagers would circumvent the ban, Starmer compared it to alcohol laws, saying laws express values and shape social expectations. He emphasised that the ban would change conversations between parents and children, making children safer and happier over time.
The announcement was welcomed by campaigners, including bereaved parents who attribute their children's deaths to social media. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, said the ban could potentially save many children's lives. The government cited a consultation showing nine in 10 parents support a minimum age of 16 for accessing such apps.
