The UK government has announced plans to ban social media access for under-16s, in what Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described as a decisive step towards protecting children online.
Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said the proposed legislation would deliver “real change for our children and our future”, amid mounting concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Starmer set to ban under-16s from major social media platforms
The proposed measures would prevent under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, alongside tighter restrictions on online services such as gaming apps.
These include removing features that allow children to communicate with strangers, a move aimed at reducing exposure to online abuse and harmful interactions.
Starmer acknowledged that social media has benefits, but argued that the risks now outweigh them for younger users.
The social media ban will potentially come into force by spring 2027
“Social media is making children unhappy. It’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health,” he said.
“A necessary choice,” says Starmer.
The prime minister emphasised that the decision was not taken lightly, but framed it as a necessary intervention.
“Government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a total ban is the right choice,” he stated.
The legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of 2026, with the ban potentially coming into force by spring 2027.
While critics have pointed to the likelihood of teenagers bypassing restrictions, Starmer dismissed this as a reason to avoid action.
“We don’t say, ‘A teenager managed to get alcohol, so let’s not bother banning it,’” he said, arguing that laws also serve to shape societal expectations and behaviours over time.
The government has indicated it is working closely with tech companies and regulators to ensure enforcement mechanisms are effective, though details are yet to be finalised.
9 in 10 parents support raising the minimum age for social media access to 16
According to government data, nine in 10 parents support raising the minimum age for social media access to 16. Campaigners, including families affected by online harm, were present during the announcement and have long called for stricter protections.
Starmer said the policy is intended to reassure parents that “Britain will be better for their children” and offer young people “more time, more security, and more opportunity to grow up.”
Addressing concerns from the tech sector, particularly US-based platforms, Starmer insisted the move does not signal opposition to innovation.
“I will never accept that you can’t be both pro-tech and pro-child safety,” he said, adding that protecting children must remain a priority alongside the development of AI and digital industries.
The UK’s proposed ban goes further than similar measures introduced in countries like Australia, signalling a more aggressive stance on regulating children’s online access.
