UK to ban social media for under-16
The United Kingdom has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, in one of the most sweeping online safety proposals introduced by a Western government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move on Monday, stating that the ban would be implemented early next year as part of a broader push to strengthen protections for children in the digital space. The proposed restrictions are also expected to cover certain gaming and livestreaming services.
Starmer said the decision was not easy but necessary, stressing that governments must take stronger responsibility in addressing the harmful impact of social media on young users. He added that he was “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” even if technology companies oppose the measure.
The UK government has not yet specified which platforms will be included under the ban, but officials indicated that major social media networks are expected to fall under its scope.
The proposal places the UK among a growing number of countries introducing age-based restrictions on social media use for minors. Nations such as Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have already implemented or proposed similar measures, while several others including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are considering comparable policies.
Starmer described the initiative as a “world-leading” step and suggested it could go further than Australia’s existing restrictions on social media access for children under 16.
The move is part of a wider global debate on online safety, mental health, and the role of technology companies in protecting younger users from harmful digital content and excessive screen exposure.
