Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that all children under the age of 16 will be banned from using social media. The announcement, made during a press conference this morning, was met with applause and cheers.
Government decision after public consultation
The decision comes less than three weeks after the conclusion of a consultation that garnered over 110,000 responses, including tens of thousands from parents across the country. Sir Keir stated, 'It is clear to me that a full ban is the right choice.'
Prime Minister's personal perspective
Explaining his reasoning, Sir Keir highlighted his own experience as a parent of two. He said, 'All I want for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and safe.' He questioned whether social media creates a happy and safe environment for children, adding, 'I don't think I even need to answer those questions, do I?' He further noted that social media is 'designed to be addictive,' citing features like infinite scroll that keep users engaged for hours.
Public opinion divided
A new poll by the Public Policy Research (PPR) think tank indicates that the public is largely split on the approach. The survey found that 44% of the public support a ban, while 39% prefer tighter regulation. However, among parents with a child under 16, 54% back a ban compared to 36% who favor regulation.
Support from campaigners
Esther Ghey, whose transgender teenage daughter Brianna was stabbed to death in February 2023, has been a vocal advocate for the ban. She told Metro last month, 'This really calls for strong leadership from Keir Starmer. We are talking about children.' She warned that further delays would lead to more lost lives and families joining their group.
Influence of Australia's ban
The government has faced increasing pressure to block social media for under-16s since Australia began enforcing its ban in December 2025. Peers in the House of Lords voted twice to include the measure in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, leading to a compromise where ministers promised 'some form of age or functionality restrictions.' Recent reports suggest the UK may follow Australia's lead by allowing under-16s to access curated sites like YouTube Kids while blocking others.
