UK to ban under-16s from social media over safety and mental health concerns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom's decision to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media is aimed at protecting young people from harmful online content, bullying, addiction and mental health challenges.

Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, June 15, the Prime Minister said the move forms part of a broader effort by his government to harness the benefits of technology while addressing its negative effects on society.

The ban will prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms and is expected to be backed by legislation, regulatory measures and enforcement mechanisms.

"This is the context for the Government’s decision to ban access to social media for all children under sixteen, which we announced today. It is another example of us taking control of the future and shaping the forces for the benefit of Britain," Starmer said.

The British leader argued that child protection remains the most pressing challenge arising from technological advancement and stated that the government could not remain passive while children's welfare was at risk.

According to him, social media has become a source of unhappiness for many young people by exposing them to cyberbullying, harmful content and potentially damaging effects on their mental health.

Starmer also criticised features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay videos, saying they are designed to keep users engaged for extended periods at the expense of more productive activities.

He said excessive time spent on social media deprives children of opportunities to study, read, engage in creative activities, interact with friends and get adequate rest.

"But can we really say that social media is currently a happy environment for our children? Can we really say that it is always safe for them? I don’t think so," he stated.

The Prime Minister said the government had spent months consulting parents, young people, experts and families affected by online harms before arriving at the decision.

He noted that lessons had also been drawn from countries such as Australia, while existing age-verification measures under the Online Safety Act would help support implementation of the ban.

Beyond restricting social media access, Starmer announced plans to tighten controls on online platforms where children can be contacted by strangers and explore device-level restrictions to prevent the sharing of nude images by minors.

He expressed hope that the policy would not only improve online safety but also encourage children to spend more time on education, sports, arts, music and other activities that contribute to healthy development.