Britain’s under-16s face social media ban under landmark government plan
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Children under the age of 16 will be banned from using social media under sweeping new government plans announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Describing the move as a “big moment for our country”, Sir Keir said the restrictions were necessary to protect young people from the harmful effects of social media on their wellbeing, safety and mental health.
The ban, which is expected to come into force early next year, is understood to apply to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister said the Government could no longer ignore growing concerns about the impact social media is having on children.
Sir Keir 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.”
The father of two said his decision had been shaped by both political and personal concerns.
“I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we’re thinking about this issue,” he said.
“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, but I ask the question now: 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.”
The Prime Minister also warned that online platforms were making it easier for bullies to target young people and exposing children to harmful content designed to maximise engagement.
He said social media was “making 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”.
Alongside the social media ban, the Government announced what it described as “world-leading” online safety measures. Gaming and live-streaming platforms will be required to prevent strangers from contacting children, while safety restrictions for under-18s will be switched on by default.
Ministers are also considering additional measures, including overnight curfews and mandatory breaks in infinite scrolling features designed to keep users online for extended periods.
Sir Keir acknowledged that some young people may attempt to bypass the restrictions but said he was confident the measures would still make a significant difference.
The announcement was welcomed by campaigners invited to Downing Street for the launch, where the Prime Minister received applause following his speech.
The move places the UK among a growing number of countries seeking tougher regulation of children’s online activity. Sir Keir said he had discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump and planned to raise it again, despite reported resistance from the US administration towards restrictions on social media companies, many of which are based in America.
He said governments around the world were increasingly “grappling” with the challenge of keeping children safe online.
If approved, the changes would represent one of the most significant shake-ups of internet regulation in the UK, fundamentally changing how millions of young people access social media and online content.
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