UK government to restrict under-16s from social media, citing child safety concerns

The UK government is set to announce a sweeping ban on social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Monday. The measure, which covers major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit, represents one of the most aggressive moves by a Western nation to regulate children's online activity, according to Channel News Asia. "world leading action" Starmer's proposal goes further than Australia's landmark ban enacted in December 2025, the BBC reported. In addition to barring under-16s from social media, the UK plan includes restrictions on chatbots, a curfew for older teenagers to prevent late-night scrolling, and blocking children from livestreaming on "safer" sites or talking to strangers on gaming apps, according to Hacker News and the BBC. The announcement follows a nationwide consultation and comes ahead of a G7 summit in France, where Starmer will face political challenges including his defense secretary's resignation, ByteS EU reported. The prime minister framed the move as a choice between supporting families and maintaining ineffective existing protections, NBC News noted. A government survey cited by Deadline showed 90% public support for the ban. Starmer acknowledged the implementation will not be easy but emphasized the UK government has agency in pushing back against the power of big technology companies, Channel News Asia reported. The children's tsar has called for the ban to extend to under-18s, Kent Online added. Further details are expected next month, the BBC reported, as the UK follows Australia's lead in introducing the world's first outright social media ban for under-16s in December 2025. The measures also include a separate consultation to produce guidance for parents on when children should get their first smartphone and recommended screen time limits for under-16s, according to Kent Online.

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