Britain to ban under-16s from using social media apps including TikTok and YouTube: Starmer
Britain will ban children under 16 from using many social media apps including Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube to protect young people from dangerous content and too much screen time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.
Starmer told a press conference that he would fight back if tech companies resisted, and admitted that some young people would try to find a way to block it. But he said he is “not willing to compromise the safety and happiness of our children.”
“Every parent can see for themselves. Social media makes kids unhappy,” said Starmer, who has two young children. “I have heard firsthand the families crying out for change and we will do well with it.”
The move, which is expected to come into effect early next year, makes the UK part of a growing global movement to strengthen children’s online safety. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children’s access to social media. France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are among others in the region or developing similar mechanisms.
The UK plans to follow a similar social media ban model as Australia, which last year became the first country to ban under-16s from holding social media accounts. Platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to exclude children under the age of 16 can be punished with multi-million dollar fines.
The UK said its ban would apply to platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, but not YouTube Kids or messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal. Starmer stressed that the enforcement action would target tech companies, not children.
The prime minister also said he would go further than Australia’s measures.
He said the government will take action to prevent strangers from contacting children in sports fields and live broadcasts. Authorities are also considering additional measures including a curfew and an indefinite scrolling break for those under 18. More details are expected next month.
Starmer’s announcement was met with mixed reactions
The decision follows a public comment period where the government received 116,000 responses from parents, the technology industry and children. The number of responses was second only to one seeking opinions on same-sex marriage in 2012.
The majority of respondents – more than 90% – want a ban on under-16s, the government said.
Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was killed in 2023 by two teenagers who found dangerous content online, said the ban “could save so many children’s lives,” but it must be accompanied by other measures.
The NSPCC, the leading children’s charity, praised the government’s ambition but urged authorities to ensure that venues use “robust age checks” and implement the policy effectively.
Others are more skeptical.
Critics including the Open Rights Group have raised concerns about age verification companies and how private user data is protected.
In response on Monday, a YouTube spokesperson warned that banning the social media platform “may exclude children from planned, supervised, rewarding experiences and anonymous and less secure services.”
Starmer acknowledged the challenges, but said the success of the ban would mean “a huge drop in kids on social media” and “a cultural change, a sense that you can grow up differently.”
Starmer, who was elected less than two years ago, is under pressure to step down from his party due to what they see as poor leadership and could face a leadership challenge in the coming days or weeks. You want to deliver milestones that can serve as a legacy.
The US has opposed the move
The ban could fuel tensions with the US, which has warned that regulations should be limited and not violate free speech protections, according to a statement from the US Embassy in London. It also said it was concerned that the rules would place a greater burden on American technology companies.
Starmer said he expects to discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in France starting on Monday.
“I honestly think that leaders around the world, it has been recognized that leaders should take steps to protect children,” she said. “I don’t think that’s controversial, there will always be arguments about what are the limits of that and what laws should be followed, but I don’t see that as a problem.”
Jon Crowcroft, a professor of communication systems at the University of Cambridge, said people who support social restrictions are well-intentioned but perhaps misguided, and the changes could prevent children from accessing the places they need.
“There’s a real risk this will drive some users to really bad sites and police equipment is close to technically impossible,” Crowcroft said. “Police forums are too easy, if only the regulators would bother.”
