UK Moves to Bar Under-16s from Social Media, Citing Child Safety Concerns
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The United Kingdom is set to introduce a ban on social media use for children under 16, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the move as necessary to protect young people from online harm.
Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said the government hopes to pass the legislation before the end of 2026. The proposed restrictions would affect platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X, while messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal would remain exempt.
The Prime Minister argued that social media addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content negatively impact children’s wellbeing, insisting that protecting young people must come first.
