By Talkmore F. Mapfumo
LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, in what is being described as one of the world’s toughest measures aimed at protecting young people from online harm. The announcement was made from 10 Downing Street on Monday.
Under the new law, children younger than 16_ will be prohibited from accessing major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X. The government says the move is intended to tackle online bullying, harmful content, addictive algorithms and growing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health.
Starmer said his government was “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” arguing that technology companies had failed to adequately protect young users.
The legislation will require social media companies to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from creating or maintaining accounts. Enforcement will be directed at the platforms rather than children who attempt to circumvent the restrictions. Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is expected to oversee compliance and enforcement.
The ban forms part of a broader package of online safety reforms. Additional measures under consideration include restrictions on livestreaming, limits on contact with strangers through gaming platforms, controls on “infinite scrolling” features and tighter regulation of AI-powered companion chatbots.
The government hopes to pass the necessary regulations before the end of the year, with implementation expected during 2027. The move follows similar actions in countries such as Australia and reflects growing international concern over the effects of social media on children and teenagers.
While child-safety campaigners have largely welcomed the announcement, several technology companies have criticized the ban, warning that it could push young people toward unregulated online spaces and create enforcement challenges.
According to government consultations, overwhelming parental support helped drive the policy, with around nine in ten parents backing a minimum social media age of 16.
The decision marks a significant shift in the global debate over online safety and could influence other governments considering similar restrictions on children’s access to social media.