UK government bans social media for under-16s

Crime Diary, Politics

LONDON, United Kingdom (NPA) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, describing the move as a decisive step to protect young people from the harms of online platforms.

The announcement, delivered in a statement titled “Giving Children Their Childhoods Back”, framed the ban as part of a broader effort to harness technology responsibly while safeguarding the well-being of Britain’s youth. Starmer emphasised that while artificial intelligence and digital innovation are transforming society, the government must act to ensure these changes benefit working families rather than undermine them.

Starmer argued that social media has become a source of unhappiness and risk for children, exposing them to bullying, harmful content, and addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay videos. “I am simply not prepared to be a bystander when the safety and happiness of our children are at stake,” he said, adding that the ban reflects both his role as Prime Minister and his perspective as a parent.

The decision follows months of consultation with parents, young people, and experts, as well as lessons drawn from other countries pursuing similar measures. It builds on the UK’s Online Safety Act and introduces new powers under the Children and Wellbeing Act, allowing the government to adapt regulations as technology evolves.

Starmer noted that enforcement will not be perfect, acknowledging that some children may find ways around the restrictions. However, he stressed that the ban is as much about setting social norms as it is about legal compliance, likening it to existing laws on alcohol sales to minors.

Alongside the ban, the government is launching new investments in cultural opportunities for children, including art, music, sport, and debating, to encourage healthier and more traditional forms of childhood development.

“This is about giving children the space, time, and security to grow up in their own way,” Starmer said. “It shows that we can harness the opportunities of technology without losing sight of what matters most.”