Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for under-16s.
- The ban aims to protect children's wellbeing and mental health.
- The policy affects up to 10 major social media platforms.
- A government consultation found 90% of over 116,000 respondents supported a minimum age of 16 for social media access.
- Restrictions on features like infinite scrolling and late-night usage for older teens are also being considered.
- Age-verification systems from the Online Safety Act are expected to aid enforcement.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16, citing concerns that these platforms are detrimental to children's wellbeing, contribute to bullying, and may harm mental health. The decision follows a significant government consultation, which received over 116,000 responses, with approximately 90% of parents supporting a minimum age of 16 for social media access.
The proposed ban is set to affect up to 10 major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and Facebook. Further restrictions for older teenagers, such as curfews and regulations for AI chatbots, are also under consideration. Starmer stated that the ban was a necessary choice to protect children. This policy represents a substantial intervention in the UK's digital economy, building on the framework of the Online Safety Act, and places increased pressure on technology companies to enhance user safety for younger demographics. The government intends to leverage age-verification systems developed under the Online Safety Act to enforce the new measures, with detailed implementation plans expected shortly.