Britain will ban under-16s from using a range of social media platforms, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, calling it a “big moment” for the country as the government moves to strengthen online protections for children.
Starmer said he would push back against technology companies if they resist the new rules, which aim to shield children from harmful content and reduce excessive screen time. He said he was “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.”
The decision places the United Kingdom among a growing number of countries tightening rules on children’s access to social media. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced or proposed age-based restrictions, while countries including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are exploring similar measures.
The UK plan is expected to go further than Australia’s approach, which prevents under-16s from holding social media accounts and allows penalties for tech companies that fail to comply.
Under the British rules, the ban will apply to platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. However, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included.
The government also plans to restrict strangers from contacting children on gaming and livestreaming platforms. The measures are expected to come into force early next year.
Starmer, who has been in office for nearly two years and faces political pressure at home, said the policy could form part of his long-term legacy. He is seeking to introduce major reforms amid speculation of possible leadership challenges within his party.
The prime minister, who has two teenage children, said success would mean a sharp fall in children using social media and a wider cultural shift in how young people grow up.
He said the government is confident the ban will work, despite concerns raised by some children’s rights advocates.
The move follows a public consultation that received 116,000 responses from parents, children and the tech industry. More than 90% supported restricting social media use for under-16s, according to the government.
Esther Ghey, mother of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who was killed in 2023 by two teenagers exposed to harmful online content, said the ban could help save lives but must be backed by wider support measures, including after-school programmes.
The policy could also create friction with the United States, which has warned against broad regulations that may affect free speech and place heavy burdens on American tech firms, according to the US Embassy in London.
Starmer said he expected to discuss the issue with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, at the G7 summit in France starting Monday.
He said leaders generally agree on the need to protect children online, though differences remain over how far regulations should go.
However, some experts have raised concerns. University of Cambridge professor Jon Crowcroft said such bans may be well-intentioned but could push children toward less safe online spaces and are difficult to enforce effectively.