British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced plans for a full ban on social media access for children under 16, arguing that digital platforms are contributing to rising unhappiness among young people and exposing them to harmful content.
Starmer said the government will block access to platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X for users under 16, but will exempt messaging services like WhatsApp.
He said the proposed law would move through Parliament by late December, with implementation expected in spring next year.
The prime minister also said his government will take what he described as “world-leading action” on gaming services and live streaming platforms, signaling a wider crackdown on online spaces accessible to children.
Officials said the policy will also explore overnight curfews for under-18s and restrictions on infinite scrolling features, with further details expected in July.
Starmer said the policy drew inspiration from Australia, which in December became the first country to ban social media access for users under 16.
The announcement follows a government consultation in which British teenagers tested social media restrictions and time limits on apps. The consultation drew about 116,000 responses, making it one of the largest public engagements on a tech policy issue in the UK.
More than 83% of parents who participated said social media risks outweighed benefits for children, while 91% supported a minimum age of 16.
A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward “less safe services.”
Starmer also said the government would act against gaming platforms and live streaming services that allow strangers to contact children directly.
“Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger? An adult that you don’t know about? No. So we’re taking action on that,” he said.
The UK’s centre-left Labour government said tech companies carry a “moral responsibility” to protect children from coercion, abuse and sextortion.
Officials also said new measures would restrict access to pornography and make it harder for online predators to target children.
The announcement comes as several countries tighten rules on children’s access to social media. Canada recently introduced legislation targeting users under 16, while Indonesia has already begun enforcing similar restrictions.
Australia remains the first country to implement a full ban on social media use for children under 16, a policy that UK officials cited as a model.
The British government said it will release additional details on its proposed regulations in July.
