LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing all major social media platforms as part of a sweeping effort to protect young people online. Speaking at a news conference, Starmer said the government had decided that a complete ban was necessary to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing. “Government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice,” Starmer said. He argued that social media platforms were contributing to unhappiness among young people, creating spaces for harassment and abuse, damaging mental health, and exposing children to harmful content. “I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and that is why this ban will happen,” he said. The prime minister said the restrictions would apply to all major social media applications, while platforms not covered by the blanket ban, including gaming services, would be required to prevent children from communicating with strangers. Starmer acknowledged that some children might attempt to bypass the restrictions but said that possibility should not deter the government from taking action. “It will make our children happier. And we’ll give them more time, more security, more freedom to grow up, more opportunity. And that, at the end of the day, is what this government is about,” he said. The announcement marks one of the most far-reaching online safety measures proposed by the UK government and reflects growing international concern over the impact of social media on children and teenagers. Further details on implementation and enforcement are expected to be released in the coming months.
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