Keir Starmer to Propose Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The planned restrictions would target major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X, effectively cutting off access for the youngest users. While gaming applications remain exempt from an outright ban, the government intends to mandate the removal of chat features that allow interaction with strangers. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to block access to sexualized chatbots and restrict late-night platform usage for minors.

This move follows a wave of advocacy, most notably from the mother of Brianna Ghey, who argued that algorithmic content exacerbated her daughter’s struggles with self-harm and disordered eating. While the government may leverage existing regulatory frameworks to implement these changes, officials suggest new legislation is likely necessary to ensure compliance. Critics, however, warn that such measures risk infringing on digital privacy and anonymity, noting that age verification systems remain technically flawed and may isolate young people rather than protecting them.