UK Prime Minister Starmer Announces Social Media Ban for Minors

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a forthcoming ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, emphasizing the negative impact of social media on children's mental health and wellbeing. Starmer stated that social media contributes to unhappiness among children and facilitates bullying, harassment, and abuse.

The UK Government clarified that the ban will encompass major platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, while excluding messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal. The Prime Minister described the full ban as the right choice, asserting that the safety and happiness of children should not be compromised.

The government plans to introduce additional measures, including blocking harmful livestream functions and considering an overnight curfew for online access for those under 16. This initiative aligns with a global movement, as countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia have already implemented similar restrictions, with Greece and Gabon also enacting laws to limit social media access for minors.

The UK regulations are expected to take effect in spring 2027.