Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban social media for under-16s in the UK, with the aim of enacting the new restrictions by next spring. The proposal, which goes further than Australia's recent ban, would prevent younger teenagers from using platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, and from livestreaming themselves. Under-18s would also be stopped from using romantic chatbots designed to simulate sexual relationships.
The announcement has drawn criticism from major tech companies. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, warned that bans risk isolating teens from online communities and driving them to unregulated alternatives. YouTube stated that blanket bans push children towards anonymous, less-safe services, while Snapchat argued that an outright ban could push teens to less safe platforms, as most time on Snapchat is spent in private messaging with friends and family.
Starmer defended the ban at a Downing Street press conference, stating that social media is making children unhappy, facilitating bullying, and potentially harming their mental health. He rejected the notion that the ban is anti-tech, asserting that it is possible to be both pro-tech and protective of children. The prime minister acknowledged the challenges of enforcement but compared the ban to alcohol sales restrictions for minors, emphasising that laws shape social values and expectations over time.
The ban was welcomed by campaigners, including bereaved parents who say social media contributed to their children's deaths. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, expressed happiness about the ban, saying it could potentially save many children's lives. The government's consultation on the issue found that nine in 10 parents supported a minimum age of 16 for accessing such apps.
Starmer's allies indicate that if he is ousted as prime minister in the coming weeks, this policy will form part of his political legacy. The plan includes separate restrictions on online products such as gaming apps, including removing the option to chat to strangers.
