UK PM Starmer to propose social media ban for under-16s on major platforms
By
Joe Pike, Maia Davies
Lightly toasted, lightly seasoned, mostly correct.
Summary
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a ban on under-16s accessing major social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The proposed measures also include preventing children from livestreaming on "safer" sites, blocking them from talking to strangers on gaming apps, and potentially introducing social media curfews for minors. The UK follows Australia's lead, which introduced the world's first outright social media ban for under-16s in December 2025. Further details are expected next month.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to ban under-16s from major social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
The government will also stop children being able to livestream on 'safer' sites, and stop them being able to talk to strangers on gaming apps.
Ministers are considering whether to impose social media curfews for children, but further details will not be unveiled until next month.
Australia introduced the world's first outright ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025 and Whitehall sources are describing the UK's scheme, to be unveiled by Sir Keir on Monday.
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