UK to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that the United Kingdom will implement a ban on major social media platforms for children under the age of 16. The restrictions are expected to take effect early next year and will apply to platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, along with YouTube Kids, will be exempt.

The British plan includes imposing significant penalties on companies that fail to prevent minors from accessing their services. Enforcement efforts will target technology companies rather than the children themselves, according to Starmer. "Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy," Starmer told reporters, adding that the government has a responsibility to act.

The decision follows a public consultation that garnered 116,000 responses, with over 90% of participants supporting an under-16 ban. This move places Britain at the forefront of international efforts to limit children's exposure to social media, following a similar law passed in Australia last year. Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have also introduced or proposed age-based restrictions, and other nations including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are studying similar approaches.

A spokesperson for YouTube expressed concern that a blanket restriction could push children toward "anonymous, less-safe services" rather than curated, supervised experiences. The U.S. Embassy in London cautioned that any regulations should be narrowly tailored to avoid infringing on free speech and to prevent undue burdens on American technology companies. Starmer indicated he planned to discuss the issue with world leaders, including President Donald Trump, at the G7 summit in France.