UK: Starmer calls for social media ban for under-16s, with legislation to be introduced by Christmas
Social media to be banned for under-16s. This was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a press conference.
“Today I can announce that the government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16”: “Social media makes children unhappy. It facilitates bullying and abuse”. The Prime Minister announced his intention to have the law passed “before Christmas” so that the measure can come into force in early 2027, “probably in the spring”.
The ban is not expected to apply to messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal, but will apply to Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. However, it will not apply to messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal.
Starmer spoke of "unprecedented measures on a global scale" regarding video game and streaming platforms that allow "strangers" to "contact any child without any checks".
The UK initiative follows those in Australia and Indonesia, which already have similar bans in place, whilst France is considering a bill to ban social media for children under 15, and Canada announced in recent days its intention to introduce legislation on the matter.
