UK will ban social media for children under 16
Key takeaways
- 'Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we're stepping in to protect children,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- The plan includes not only a ban from major social media platforms, but also restrictions on gaming apps as well.
- Starmer acknowledged that kids will find ways around the ban, but said that wasn't a good excuse for not enacting a law.
'Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we're stepping in to protect children,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Stockplanets/Getty Images Following a consultation, the UK is banning young people under 16 from social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. "This is a line in the sand," the PM said in a speech at his Downing Street residence. "Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we're stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations." The government aims to pass the legislation by the end of this year and start enforcing it in the spring of 2027.
The plan includes not only a ban from major social media platforms, but also restrictions on gaming apps as well. Those include barring children under 16 from chatting with strangers, live streaming or using romantic chatbots. "These restrictions... go further than any other country," the government press release states.