Sir Keir Starmer has announced under-16s will be banned from social media in a “big moment for our country”.
The Prime Minister said earlier today that the UK will follow Australia in prohibiting teenagers from using apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
Announcing the sweeping reforms at a Downing Street press conference, the PM said the ban was "the right step for Britain" and the best way to keep children safe online.
The ban will come into force in the early part of next year.
Here’s everything you need to know about the under-16s social media ban:
What social media platforms will be banned?
Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, will all be banned under the government’s new plan.
An exhaustive list of platforms has not been released, but the government said it would apply to those which encourage social interaction and allow users to post and share material.
Under the new measures, children will be prohibited from live-streaming, including on gaming platforms.
Any apps that give users the option to speak with under-16s they do not know will also be blocked and restrictions will be in place by default for under-17s.
The government also said it was looking into overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under the age of 18.
AI romantic ‘chatbots’, which encourage sexual relationships or roleplay, will have to enforce a minimum age of 18.
And, AI chatbots more widely will have to restrict "intimate functionalities" for under-18s.
What platforms are not included in the social media ban?
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the social media ban, the government says.
When will the ban come into place?
The government plans to pass the regulations before Christmas, which would allow the measures to be introduced in early 2027.
How will it be enforced?
The government has said “highly effective age reassurance” will be used to enforce its social media ban, though it’s yet unclear what that will be.
It suggests the age verification process, which is already in place under the UK’s Online Safety Act, could be hardened or modified.
This has already been put in place to prevent under-18s from accessing pornography and other harmful content.
But, the requirements have been criticised by digital and civil rights campaigners who warned against people having to hand over their ID or biometrical data.
Ofcom will carry out a rapid study to identify the best ways to verify if someone is over the age of 16, the government says.
How have parents reacted to the ban?
According to a government survey, 9 in 10 parents said they would support a social media ban for children under 16.
But the announcement has been met with mixed views from parents and adults online, with some highlighting concerns about how a ban would be enforced.
One woman said: “This isn't unlike the seat belt rule, or eating when you're driving. How do you enforce it? You need compliant parents who will use parental controls, and who won't allow their children to access these sites. And while social media and other sites may be a truly bad influence on people, old and young alike, this is not the only root of a very complex degradation of behaviour by some - far from all - young people.”
Another user showed his support for the ban, saying: “We are raising a generation that has been exposed to more pressure, negativity, comparison, and harmful content than any generation before them.
“Social media was originally designed to connect people, but for many young children it has become something entirely different. It has become a place where self-worth is measured in likes, where bullying follows children into their own bedrooms, and where harmful trends can spread across the world in a matter of hours.”
Another person highlighted the role of big tech, adding: “Maybe it’s just easier to pick on the kids and their parents than sort out the real issue with big tech? After all it’s not kids who allow dangerous or inhuman content to be aired and shared.”
Another parent shared her concerns about the impact on neurodivergent children, as social media can be a “lifeline” for them.
“Whilst I see completely where the government are coming from, security, cyberbullying [...] it’s also a massive lifeline for neurodivergent children. A lot of neurodivergent children don’t like face to face communication. It’s really difficult for them. Social situations are hard, especially for autistic kids.”
What has the PM said?
The Prime Minister said that the proposals will take “world-leading action on gaming services and live-streaming platforms”.
He warned social media was having an impact on children’s happiness and mental health and that it was clear to him that “a full ban is the right choice”.
“This is not something I do lightly,” he said, “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.
“I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we’re thinking about this issue.
“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.”
