UK plans to block under-16s from social media

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared his intention to ban social media access for individuals under the age of 16, positioning the move as a paramount priority for safeguarding children's welfare. This regulatory push aligns with a growing global trend of governments seeking to control online environments for minors. Starmer has vowed to "retaliate" against tech companies that might oppose the ban, framing it as a "pioneering" global initiative.

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is not ready to compromise on the safety and well-being of our children.

The decision stems from an extensive public consultation that garnered over 116,000 responses from parents, tech industry figures, and young people. According to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, an overwhelming "90% of parents, but also young people, want a ban for under 16s." Nandy stressed, however, that such a measure should be part of a broader set of safeguards.

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90% of parents, but also young people, want a ban for under 16s.

To enforce the age limit, the UK government plans to utilize robust age verification technologies, potentially including facial or voice recognition, official ID checks, or "age inference" systems that analyze online behavior. Companies will be mandated to take "reasonable measures" to prevent minors from accessing their platforms. The government intends for these restrictions to go beyond Australia's model, which already prohibits social media for under-16s.

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should be part of a broader set of devices.

Australia's law, implemented in December 2024, places responsibility on platforms like TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat, with significant fines for non-compliance. The UK's proposed measures may also incorporate digital curfews for older teenagers and restrictions on AI conversational agents, indicating a more comprehensive approach to online safety for young people.

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would retaliate.