By Elsie Kamsiyochi
The British government has announced one of the world’s toughest crackdowns on children’s access to social media, introducing a sweeping ban that will prevent anyone under the age of 16 from using major social networking platforms.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measures are designed to protect young people from harmful online content, reduce exposure to strangers, and help children spend less time glued to screens.
The proposed restrictions will affect some of the world’s most popular platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X. In a move that goes beyond legislation already introduced elsewhere, the British plan will also target features within gaming and live-streaming services that allow children to communicate with unknown adults online.
Speaking in London, Starmer described the policy as a necessary response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety and development. He argued that the changes would provide young people with more freedom to grow up away from the pressures and risks of online platforms.
“It is clear to me that a full ban is the right choice,” Starmer said, adding that the measures would make children safer, happier and more secure while giving them more opportunities to enjoy childhood experiences away from screens.
The policy is being described as an “Australia-plus” model because it goes further than the groundbreaking social media restrictions introduced by Australia. While Australia became the first country to impose a nationwide social media ban for children, Britain plans to expand the rules to cover gaming platforms and live-streaming services where young users can be contacted by strangers.
The government is also considering additional safeguards for teenagers under 18, including restrictions on addictive platform features such as infinite scrolling and possible overnight curfews that would limit access during certain hours. Officials say these measures are intended to reduce excessive screen time and encourage healthier online habits.
Under the proposals, messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt because they are primarily used for communication between family members and friends. Child-focused and educational services, including YouTube Kids, Lego Play and Google Classroom, will also continue to operate without restrictions.
A key feature of the plan involves stronger protections against unwanted contact from strangers. The government says it will introduce what it calls “world-leading blocks” on live-streaming functions and unsolicited communications involving children. Ministers argue that many online services currently allow interactions that would be considered unacceptable in the offline world.
Public support for the measures appears strong. Government consultations found that around nine out of ten parents backed the introduction of a social media ban for under-16s, reflecting widespread concern about cyberbullying, harmful content, online predators and the effects of excessive screen use on children’s wellbeing.
However, not everyone is convinced the ban will achieve its goals. Some psychologists, researchers and technology experts have questioned whether blanket restrictions can be effectively enforced. Critics argue that determined young people may simply find ways around age-verification systems or migrate to lesser-known platforms with fewer safety protections.
Several major technology companies also voiced concerns following the announcement. YouTube highlighted its long-standing investment in age-appropriate experiences and safety tools for younger users. Snapchat warned that an outright ban could disconnect teenagers from friends and family members who communicate through private messaging. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, argued that restrictions could unintentionally push young people toward unregulated online spaces that lack parental controls and safety features.
The government nevertheless remains committed to pressing ahead. Officials say the ban could be implemented by next spring, supported by existing online safety powers and new regulations expected later this year. The measures are likely to require broader age-verification systems across digital platforms, similar to those already introduced for adult websites.
Britain has steadily increased pressure on technology companies in recent years, demanding stronger protections for children and tighter controls over harmful content. The latest proposal represents the most ambitious step yet and could establish a new international benchmark for regulating children’s access to social media.
While Starmer acknowledged that some young people may attempt to bypass the restrictions, he argued that the broader cultural impact would be significant. Supporters of the policy believe it could reshape attitudes toward social media use among children and encourage healthier relationships with technology.
The move comes as governments around the world increasingly examine ways to regulate children’s access to social media amid growing concerns about mental health, online safety and digital addiction. If implemented as planned, Britain’s ban could become one of the most influential experiments in child online protection anywhere in the world.
Source Reuters
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