UK bans social media for under-16s, stricter than global peers

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that the British government will impose a ban on social media use for children under 16 years of age, applicable to major platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban. The government also plans limitations on AI tools, requiring AI "romantic companion" chatbots to restrict access to users 18 and older. Starmer stated the ban could be implemented by spring 2027 and claimed it would be stricter than similar regulations in other countries. The announcement follows a government consultation where more than 83% of participating parents indicated that social media's risks outweigh its benefits. Starmer justified the ban during a press conference, stating that social media makes children unhappy, facilitates bullying, harms mental health, and uses addictive features like infinite scroll to keep users engaged. He argued the platforms prevent healthy childhood development activities such as reading, outdoor play, and maintaining proper sleep schedules. The UK joins a growing number of countries implementing age-related social media restrictions, following Australia's ban announced in late 2025, with Canada, France, and Denmark developing their own legislation. Experts have questioned the enforceability of a blanket ban, though Starmer acknowledged implementation challenges but expressed confidence in feasibility.