‘I just can’t let that go on anymore’: British PM Keir Starmer after banning social media for kids under-16

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. With the move, the UK joins the growing list of countries that have banned social media for kids.

The new rules will also hit online gaming and live-streaming platforms, marking one of the strictest digital enforcement policies globally, as per a report by news agency Reuters. The government aims to have the regulations finalised by the end of the year, with the official ban taking effect by next spring.“We are banning social media access for under 16s. These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life,” Starmer stated in a post on X, adding, “I just can’t let that go on anymore.

So we’re giving children their childhoods back.”

Which apps are blocked

The upcoming ban targets major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. However, the government confirmed that encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt from the ban so that kids can communicate directly with family and friends.Beyond social media, the UK plans to introduce “world-leading blocks” on specific app functions to prevent strangers from communicating with minors through online games.

"Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger, an adult that you don't know anything about?" Starmer asked during a press conference. "No, so we're taking action on that,” he added.

Following the ‘Australian model’

Britain’s strategy mirrors a policy enacted by Australia last December. Following Australia’s move, global pressure has mounted on governments to address the growing link between heavy social media use and youth mental health crises.The British government decided to push forward with the total ban after launching an extensive public consultation that received over 116,000 responses from parents, teachers, and tech industry insiders.The feedback showed public anxiety regarding children's digital safety with 83% of parents stated that the online risks for children heavily outweigh the benefits, and about 90% of parents backed setting the minimum age for social media access to 16.Starmer said: “It is clear to me a full ban is the right choice," he said, adding, “It will make a huge difference, it will make our children safer, it will make our children happier... and give them more security and more freedom to grow up.”