UK ban social media for children under age 16 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has revealed a significant change in policy, announcing plans to limit social media usage for anyone under the age of 16 in a video posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

In his statement, he highlighted that this decision comes in response to increasing concerns from parents and evidence indicating the negative effects of social media on young people.

He expressed that today’s childhood is heavily influenced by technology, which can adversely impact their well-being: “Kids are trying to navigate a rapidly changing world where technology affects every part of their lives.”

Starmer referenced feedback from numerous parents who are worried about the impact of social media on their children’s mental health and daily lives: “Many parents report that their kids are hooked on social media, stuck in a loop of endless scrolling that takes away from playtime, sleep, and family interactions.”

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Announcing the policy, he stated: “The government has decided to ban social media access for children under 16.”

He added that while the move may face opposition, it is necessary and backed by evidence “We haven’t rushed into it, we’ve looked carefully at the evidence. Some people may object, we will take them on, and we will win.”

He concluded that the goal is to protect children’s wellbeing and ensure a safer upbringing: “Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe, our children deserve a happy, safe childhood.”