The UK government bans under-16s from using social media

LONDON - The British government has announced that access to social media will be banned for all children under the age of 16. In a speech this morning, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that this represents “a real change for our children and their future”.

A new law will impose a total ban on access to social media on major platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X, and restrictions will also be introduced on other products such as online betting apps. The government has emphasised that the ban will go further than the measures imposed six months ago by Australia, the first country in the world to introduce a similar ban.

“Social media is making children unhappy, making it easier for bullies to torment them, and could even harm their mental health,” said Starmer, whilst acknowledging that social media “has brought some benefits.”

Starmer has pledged to fast-track the legislation so that the ban can come into force as early as the start of next year. There should be no problems in Parliament, given that the ruling Labour Party has an overwhelming majority and that the opposition Conservative Party has long been calling for a ban on under-16s accessing social media.

The announcement follows months of consultations carried out by the Government not only with technology experts but also with psychologists and parents of children and young people who have taken their own lives after being targeted by online bullying or being bombarded with violent images and content. Starmer thanked the parents for their input.