UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s in Child Safety Push

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the United Kingdom will ban the use of social media platforms for all children under the age of 16, describing the measure as necessary to protect young people’s health and well-being. Speaking at a news conference on June 15, Starmer said he hopes the required legislation will be approved before Christmas, allowing the restrictions to take effect from early next year. Platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are among those that could be affected by the proposed ban, although the government is expected to release detailed implementation plans in July. The measures form part of a broader government effort to shield children from online harms and address concerns about excessive smartphone use, particularly during late-night hours. Starmer said the decision was not motivated by political considerations or personal legacy, arguing that campaigners, parents and child welfare advocates had pushed for stronger protections for years. “This goes beyond politics,” he said, adding that the issue concerns the values and responsibilities of society toward children and young people. The British government said it intends to go beyond a simple social media ban. Officials are also considering restrictions on potentially harmful platform features, including live-streaming functions and the ability of children under 16 to communicate with unknown adults online. Additional measures under review include limiting social media access during nighttime hours and introducing mechanisms to interrupt endless scrolling for users under 18. Since March, authorities have been consulting parents, children and technology experts on proposals including stricter age-verification systems, nighttime usage limits and other online safety measures. Some of the proposed restrictions have already been tested in selected households. Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on social media access for children under 16, a move that attracted global attention and sparked debate over the balance between online safety, privacy and digital rights. Several governments have since explored similar measures as concerns about youth online behavior continue to grow. The British proposal is part of a broader international effort to regulate digital platforms and address the risks associated with social media use among children. Policymakers in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region have increasingly focused on age restrictions, parental controls and platform accountability as they seek to reduce online harms while preserving access to digital services. The post UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s in Child Safety Push appeared first on Khaama Press.