UK plans to ban under-16s from major social media platforms

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing a range of social media platforms, as part of efforts to strengthen online safety. Starmer said the government would proceed with the measure to protect young people from harmful content and excessive screen time, adding that he is prepared to challenge technology companies if they resist the policy. “I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” he said. Proposed restrictions The proposed ban is expected to apply to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick and Reddit. Additional measures under consideration include restrictions on chatbots, features within gaming applications and a curfew designed to limit late-night use by older teenagers. Global trend on online safety The move would place the United Kingdom among a growing number of countries introducing age-based controls on social media. Similar initiatives have been launched or proposed in Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia, while other countries are studying comparable policies. Starmer described online safety for children as a key issue, calling it “one of the biggest debates of our time” and framing the decision as a choice between protecting families and maintaining the current system. Public response and debate The proposal follows a public consultation that received more than 116,000 responses from parents, industry representatives and young people. According to officials, the majority supported introducing restrictions for those under 16. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the ban should form part of a broader set of measures, noting that it is not a complete solution on its own. Concerns and opposition The plan has drawn concerns from some experts, who warn that restrictions could push young users towards unregulated platforms or make enforcement difficult. There are also indications that the move could increase tensions with the United States, where officials have raised concerns over potential impacts on technology companies and issues related to free speech. The government is expected to announce further details of the proposal, which it has described as a “world-leading” approach to protecting children online.