Social Media Ban for Under-16s to Be Introduced in the United Kingdom

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced new measures banning individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Under the decision, which is planned to come into force next spring, teenagers will not be able to download or use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and X.

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According to The Guardian, Meta, YouTube and Snapchat have criticised the UK government's new decision, stressing that instead of improving teenagers' safety, it could push them toward unregulated online environments. A spokesperson for Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, stated that social media bans could not only isolate teenagers from online communities and useful sources of information but also drive them toward alternative platforms that lack parental controls and safety mechanisms.

YouTube, meanwhile, said in a statement that blanket bans could deprive children of supervised and beneficial digital experiences and push them toward anonymous and less safe services. Representatives of Snapchat also emphasised that the platform is primarily a means of communication between family members and friends, arguing that such a ban would not make teenagers safer.

Keir Starmer announced the decision during a press conference held at Downing Street. The Prime Minister said that social media negatively affects children's happiness, makes cyberbullying and harassment easier, and could also harm their mental health. Starmer stated that the decision is not aimed against technology: “I believe it is possible to support both technology and artificial intelligence while also protecting our children.”

Under the new rules, individuals under the age of 16 will not be able to download Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. In addition, they will be prohibited from livestreaming. Users under the age of 18 will also be banned from using artificial intelligence chatbots that simulate romantic or sexual relationships. The decision will also apply to some online gaming applications. In this regard, restrictions are planned on chat functions that allow minors to communicate with strangers. Comparing the social media ban to the prohibition on selling alcohol to minors, the Prime Minister said that laws are not only rules but also an expression of society’s values. According to him, the new measures will help children grow up in a safer and happier environment while also giving them more time and opportunities.

The decision has been welcomed by organisations and parents campaigning against the negative impact of social media on children's lives. Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, said the ban could “save the lives of many children.” According to the government, 90 percent of parents who participated in the public consultation process titled “Growing Up in the Online World” supported the idea of setting the minimum age for access to social media platforms at 16.