Following the footsteps of Australia, Britain has announced sweeping social media ban for under-16s. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would ban social media sites for under-16s and impose restrictions on gaming and live-streaming platforms, in a fightback against big tech that goes further than any other country.
"Today I can announce that the government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16," Starmer said. "This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free as if social media has brought no benefits to young people because clearly that is wrong. But government is always about choices, and it is clear to me that a full ban is the right choice."
Speaking from 10 Downing Street, Starmer said the ban would cover platforms including:
TikTok
Snapchat
YouTube
Messaging services such as WhatsApp will not be included. Gaming services and live streaming platforms where adults can contact children without restriction will face an age verification system, the details of which are yet to be finalised.
Starmer, who is a father of young children, said social media was making children unhappy, facilitating bullying, harming mental health, and exposing minors to dangerous content through algorithmically driven, addictive design. He specifically cited features such as infinite scroll as tools engineered to maximise screen time at the expense of sleep, homework, outdoor activity, and real-world relationships.
The announcement followed an extensive consultation process involving parents, campaigners, and child welfare organisations. Starmer acknowledged enforcement would be difficult given the scale and influence of global technology companies, but said the government had already put legislative powers in place for the law to come into force by spring 2027.
The UK's move follows Australia, which became the first country in the world to legislate a similar age-based ban in December 2025. Details of the UK's implementation framework are expected to emerge from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the coming months.