UK under-16s to be banned from social media, Starmer announces

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a significant plan to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, a move he described as a "big moment for our country" aimed at safeguarding children's mental health and well-being. This comprehensive ban is expected to encompass all major social media sites, along with additional restrictions on gaming apps, such as prohibiting chats with strangers, and blocking access to romantic or sexual AI chatbots for those under 18. The government is also considering implementing time limits for social media use for 16 and 17-year-olds.

The decision follows a public consultation that garnered over 116,000 responses, with a significant majority of parents (91%) supporting a minimum age of 16 for social media access due to concerns about online harms, bullying, and abuse. Starmer emphasized that the ban, expected to be implemented by early next year, is a necessary choice to protect children, despite acknowledging that it may not be without challenges.

While the initiative has been largely welcomed by parents and child safety advocates, some experts have raised concerns regarding the practicalities of robust age verification, potential privacy implications, and the risk of pushing younger users towards less regulated online spaces. The UK's approach is modeled after Australia's ban but intends to introduce even broader restrictions.