UK bans social media for under 16s as Starmer says children being harmed online

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has announced a complete ban on social media for children under the age of 16, arguing that the risks posed by online platforms now outweigh their benefits.

Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said the decision was not taken lightly and acknowledged that social media had brought positive opportunities for young people. However, he said the government had a responsibility to make difficult choices to protect children.

“It is clear to me that a full ban is the right choice,” Starmer said.

Drawing on his own experience as a parent, he said his main concern had always been the happiness and safety of his children.

“All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe. I think that’s what any parent wants,” he said.

Questioning whether social media could truly provide a safe environment for children, Starmer added: “I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I?”

The Prime Minister argued that online platforms were contributing to rising levels of anxiety and distress among young people by making it easier for bullies to target children and exposing them to harmful content.

“Social media is making children unhappy,” he said, describing many platforms as products designed to keep users engaged for hours through addictive features.

According to Starmer, excessive time spent online is taking children away from essential parts of growing up, including completing homework, reading, spending time with friends and getting enough sleep.

“That may not sound like much, but these are activities that help a child develop into an adult,” he said.

Reflecting on his own childhood, Starmer said today’s generation was facing challenges previous generations did not experience.

“To be honest, I feel for this generation,” he said, adding that many parents struggle to know how to navigate a world where digital technology has become deeply woven into children’s daily lives.

“I think most parents will welcome this,” he added.

The government plans to pass the necessary regulations before Christmas, with the ban expected to come into force in spring 2027, according to the BBC.

Starmer insisted that he would not compromise on children’s wellbeing despite expected opposition from some technology companies.

“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen,” he said.

The proposed measures will also go beyond traditional social media platforms by introducing stronger rules for gaming services and live streaming sites, particularly those that allow unknown adults to contact children without proper checks.

The policy follows a similar social media ban introduced in Australia, which has been presented as a global model for online child protection. However, enforcement has proved difficult.

According to the BBC, many Australian children found ways around age verification systems within minutes of the rules taking effect. More than six months later, surveys showed that over 70 percent of parents believed their children were still using social media, while many young users had kept their existing accounts, created new profiles or bypassed age restrictions.

The Australian eSafety Commission is investigating possible breaches by major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, although no financial penalties have been issued so far.

While the United Kingdom government says the ban is necessary to protect a generation growing up online, the experience in Australia highlights the major challenge ahead: turning a bold policy announcement into an effective reality.