UK to Ban Under-16s from Major Social Media Platforms, Starmer Announces

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK will prohibit children under 16 from using major social media platforms. The ban will apply to Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, while messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal remain unaffected. The decision follows a national consultation that received over 116,000 responses, with 90% of parents supporting 16 as the minimum age for social media access. Alongside the ban, new rules will block livestreaming and communication with strangers for underage users. Legislation is expected in Parliament before Christmas and to take effect next spring. Starmer defended the move as a necessary step to protect children’s mental and physical health. The government will press technology companies to introduce age verification and safeguards against sharing or viewing nude images, giving them three months to comply before rules become law. In parallel, a £132.5 million “Every Child Can” programme will fund sports, arts and nature activities in schools and communities as alternatives to excessive screen time.

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