UK to Ban Most Social Media Apps for Under-16s in Major Online Safety Overhaul
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the government plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing most social media platforms from early next year.
Calling it a “defining moment for the country”, Starmer said he is prepared to stand up to technology companies that oppose the move to better protect young people.
The proposed restrictions are aimed at shielding children from harmful online content and reducing excessive screen time, according to the Associated Press.
Starmer: Families Must Come Before B Tech
Addressing the issue, Starmer said, “The question of how we keep children safe online is one of the most important debates of our generation. We must decide whether we stand with families across the country or continue with a system that is clearly failing.”
He said the planned reforms would “give children their childhood back” by introducing measures targeting platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and gaming services that allow children to communicate with strangers.
“It is clear to me that a complete ban is the right approach,” Starmer told reporters.
“It will make our children safer and happier. It will give them more time, greater security, more freedom to grow, and better opportunities in life.”
Drawing a comparison with real-world interactions, he added, “No parent would willingly allow their child to pair up with an unknown adult in the offline world.
The same principle should apply online, and that’s why we are taking action.”
Why Is the UK Introducing This Policy?
The government says the policy is designed to improve child safety and tackle the growing problems of excessive screen time and digital addiction.
Under existing rules, people under 18 are already prohibited from using AI chatbots for romantic or sexually explicit conversations.
Officials argue that restricting such interactions helps prevent children from becoming overly reliant on parasocial relationships with artificial intelligence.
Experts have warned that emotional dependence on AI could replace genuine human connections and negatively affect healthy emotional development.
Concerns and Challenges Ahead
The proposed measures come amid increasing concern from parents about children’s screen habits and growing pressure on major technology companies to strengthen online protections.
However, the policy could face legal challenges, particularly if certain platforms are banned while others continue operating under lighter restrictions.
Even platforms considered relatively safe are expected to face tighter controls. The government is considering restrictions on features such as disappearing messages, livestreaming and communication with unknown adults.
Several questions also remain unanswered. The proposals do not yet explain how technology companies will be required to verify users’ ages.
Currently, age verification checks apply primarily to adult content. Expanding those requirements could mean technology firms collect more personal data, raising concerns about privacy risks and potential data breaches.
Technology companies have not yet responded to the announcement, and many aspects of the proposed regulations remain unclear as the government continues to draft the final rules.
