British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban social media access for children under the age of 16, unveiling one of the toughest internet safety measures proposed anywhere in the world.
The sweeping reforms would prohibit under-16s from using major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X, while also introducing strict restrictions on gaming platforms and livestreaming services that allow contact between children and strangers online.
Speaking on Monday, Starmer said the measures are designed to protect young people from the harmful effects of excessive social media use and online exploitation.
“It is clear to me a full ban is the right choice,” Starmer said.
“It will make a huge difference. It will make our children safer, it will make our children happier, it will give them more time, more security, more freedom to grow up and more opportunity.”
Tougher Than Australia’s Social Media Ban
The proposal would go beyond the measures introduced by Australia, which became the first country to ban social media access for children under 16.
Under the British plan, restrictions would extend beyond traditional social media platforms to include gaming services that allow communication between strangers. Officials are also considering overnight access curfews and limits on features such as infinite scrolling for users under 18.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal would be exempt from the ban, allowing children to continue communicating with family and friends.
Starmer said the government would introduce what he described as “world-leading blocks” to prevent strangers from contacting children online and to restrict potentially dangerous livestream interactions.
He compared online safety to real-world parenting.
“Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger, an adult that you don’t know anything about?” he asked.
Social Media Companies Push Back
Technology companies quickly voiced concerns about the proposed restrictions.
Representatives from major platforms argued that an outright ban could push teenagers towards less regulated websites and services that offer fewer protections.
YouTube defended its safety record, saying it has spent more than a decade developing age-appropriate experiences and safety features for younger users.
Snapchat warned that a blanket ban could disconnect teenagers from private communications with family and close friends, which make up the majority of activity on its platform.
Meanwhile, Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, argued that experiences in Australia suggest social media bans may isolate young people from online communities while encouraging migration to unregulated alternatives without parental controls.
Questions Over Enforcement
Despite strong public support from many parents and politicians, experts remain divided on whether such a ban will be effective.
Some researchers have noted that there is currently limited evidence showing that outright social media bans significantly reduce online activity among teenagers.
Amy Orben, a research professor at the University of Cambridge, pointed to Australia’s experience, where enforcement remains challenging and many young people continue to access social media despite restrictions.
However, she suggested the policy could still influence social attitudes.
“A ban is likely to change public perceptions and make social media use less acceptable in younger age groups,” she said.
Starmer acknowledged that some children would inevitably find ways to bypass restrictions but argued that legislation can help change cultural norms over time.
“Laws are rules, but they’re also an expression of our values,” he said.
Ban Could Begin Next Year
The government hopes to have the new rules in place by next spring.
Implementation will likely require age-verification checks across social media platforms, expanding measures already introduced by regulator Ofcom for adult websites.
Britain has increasingly tightened regulation of technology companies in recent years, forcing platforms to strengthen child protection measures, adjust algorithms and tackle harmful content.
The proposed ban represents the government’s most ambitious intervention yet and could become one of the defining policies of Starmer’s premiership.
As concerns continue to grow worldwide about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety and development, several other countries are also exploring similar restrictions, potentially setting the stage for a broader global shift in how young people access online platforms.
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