Sir Keir Starmer has announced his plans for sweeping reforms to social media for under-16s as he vows to crack down on a “failing” system.
The prime minister has announced a ban to stop under-16s from accessing social media platforms including TikTok and Snapchat during a Downing Street press conference on Monday.
Major changes to how children can use chatbots and livestream are also included in the reforms, which are expected to come into force by spring 2027.
Sir Keir said he will “call time on a system that’s failing our kids”, adding: “This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”
But campaigners and experts have warned the blanket ban risks driving children to unregulated spaces. Scotland's Children's Commissioner Nicola Killean said she was disappointed with a ban and has warned of a "real risk" of youngsters being "driven to darker places on the internet".
Others said that a blanket social media ban will “fail to tackle fundamental issues” including addictive design features and “harmful algorithms”.
Key Points
- Starmer announces social media ban for under 16s
- When will social media ban come into force?
- Full list of social media platforms included in Starmer’s under-16s ban
- Campaigners warn social media ban 'fails to tackle fundamental issues'
- Analysis: Yet another U-turn by Keir Starmer
- Ban risks pushing children to 'darker places on the internet'
Badenoch welcomes social media ban but says Labour forced into reforms by Tories
12:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer’s social media ban is “not perfect”, Kemi Badenoch said as she welcomed it, after insisting that the government had been forced into taking the step by her Conservative Party.
The Conservative leader said: “On Keir Starmer’s legacy, if the imperfect social media ban is his legacy, I think that says a lot about the prime minister, and he would not even be having this ban in place if it wasn’t for the Conservatives.
“Why was there a consultation on it? Because we forced an amendment in the Lords, I think this was Lord Nash’s amendment.
“Why has he come out with this? Because we put another amendment in a bill, which was in the Lords, where we have more numbers than we do in the Commons.”
She added: “The social media ban, as he’s announced it, is not perfect. I have a lot of questions, but at least he’s doing something on that, so I welcome that, and I think that we can work with them to get it into a better place.”
Have your say: What do you think about a social media ban for under-16s?
11:45 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban under-16s from using social media, in one of the most significant interventions yet aimed at tackling concerns over children's online safety.
Supporters argue the move is needed to protect young people from harmful content, addiction and the impact of social media on mental health. Critics, however, question whether a ban can be effectively enforced and whether it is the government's role to restrict access in this way.
Do you support the prime minister's plan? Vote in our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments.
Keir Starmer ‘burying his head in the sand’ over defence, says Kemi Badenoch
11:34 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Elsewhere in politics today, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is speaking about Labour’s defence plans.
She accused the PM of “burying his head in the sand” over the issue.
Kemi Badenoch also hit out at the cabinet, saying they are "not up to the job”.
After its details caused the defence secretary John Healey to resign in protest last week, she said the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan “is not worth the paper it is written on.”
And if the PM could not deliver a blueprint to keep the UK safe: “He should resign now and make way for a leader who can.”
Ban risks pushing children to 'darker places on the internet', children's commissioner warns
11:27 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Scotland's children's commissioner Nicola Killean said she was disappointed with a ban and has warned of a "real risk" of youngsters being "driven to darker places on the internet".
Reacting to Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement, she said that the evidence does not show that banning children from social media will make them safer online and the government statement "spoke to adults only, not to the children and young people who will be most affected by these decisions".
Ban is '100 per cent the right approach', bereaved mother says
11:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A social media ban is “100%” the right approach, a bereaved mother said amid concerns from other online safety campaigners.
Other campaigners such as the Molly Rose Foundation have suggested a ban might fail to address what it describes as “fundamental product safety issues” and others have pointed out that some children might be able to get round a ban and still access social media.
Asked if she thought a social media ban was the right way to go, Ellen Roome told the Press Association: “Yes, I do. 100% The tech companies, if they wanted to make changes, they could have done that by now. They’ve chosen not to do it. They’ve been the ones that have, you know, until they’re forced to do something, they’re not going to do it. Well, now they’re being forced to do it.”
Her son Jools Sweeney was 14 when he took his own life in 2022, and Ms Roome believes his death could have been linked to an online challenge gone wrong.
Of big tech, she said: “If they actually had the children’s interests at heart, they would have done it already.
“But now we need to enforce it, and Ofcom need to step up and regulate it.
“We need to come down hard on them (social media platforms). If they’re not going to do it, we need to be very strict.
“And so we need Ofcom – ideally, we need a new safety commissioner, that is actually going to be forceful and hold these companies accountable, and when they don’t do it, we really need to clamp down hard on them.”
Social media ban should apply to all under-18s, children's commissioner says
11:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
England’s Children’s Commissioner has said a social media ban should be extended to all children – therefore those up to the age of 18 rather than stopping at 16.
Dame Rachel de Souza said while the ban is “positive”, the debate must be reset “from banning children to banning the companies who fail to show that their services protect children’s safety and wellbeing”.
She said: “Today’s announcement – banning certain social media platforms for under-16s and stopping children accessing harmful functions such as live-streaming and stranger communication – is a positive response to what children have been telling me.
“However, these measures will only be as strong as their enforcement – which I will be watching closely.
“We need to reset the debate – from banning children to banning the companies who fail to show that their services protect children’s safety and wellbeing.
“My position remains that any online service – not just social media, but gaming and other platforms – that uses harmful features should be banned from accessing under-18s unless and until it can prove it is safe.
“This is a decision that will define childhood – we must listen to young people and put their interests first. Children tell me that digital spaces are where they learn, connect and find community.
“But they want an end to the harms: addictive design that keeps them scrolling, the explicit content they wish they’d never seen, and the strangers who should never be able to contact them.”
Watch: Teenagers React To Under-16s Social Media Ban
10:50 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ban could 'push children to less safe services', YouTube warns
10:40 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
YouTube has warned that a blanket social media restriction could push children toward “less-safe services”, following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of a ban for under-16s.
A YouTube spokesperson said: “We’ve invested in expert-led, age-appropriate experiences and default protections for teens for over a decade and will continue to do so.
“YouTube is a vital resource for young people, educators and parents.
“Blanket bans push kids out of such curated, supervised, beneficial experiences and towards anonymous, less-safe services.”
As he announced the ban, the prime minister suggested there would be a carve-out for online learning tools such as YouTube Kids.
How will under-16s be banned from social media in the UK and when will it start?
10:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for under-16s after the results of a nationwide consultation showed support for the measures.
The prime minister unveiled plans to restrict online activity for children on Monday as he declared “social media is making children unhappy”.
The government has set out intentions to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, going further to tackle AI chatbots and introducing more measures to enforce age verification.
You can read about how the “world-leading” action will work below:
How will under-16s be banned from social media in the UK and when will it start?
Father whose son took own life after being blackmailed by strangers online ‘overwhelmed’ by social media ban
10:20 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
The family of a 15-year-old boy who took his own life after being blackmailed by strangers online have said they are “overwhelmed” with Sir Keir Starmer’s ban on social media.
Whilst playing video games in January 2022, Christopher Nicolaou, 15, was lured into an online chat with strangers with the promise of free in-game credits. The teenager was tricked into entering personal details such as his name, address, phone number, and passport details, before receiving a message threatening to kill his family if he did not complete a series of “challenges” set by an anonymous stranger online.
After 50 days of torment, he took his own life.
His parents, Areti and George Nicolaou have since been campaigning to raise awareness of the hidden dangers of online gaming and social media.
Following the prime minister’s announcement Mr Nicolaou told The Independent he was “absolutely overwhelmed with the results”.
“We are so happy and everything will fall into place,” he said. “Obviously it’s very early days but now that we have this on the way adjustments will be made.”
Enforcement will 'be on platform providers, not children', Starmer says
10:10 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer has said “enforcement action will be on platform providers, not children” as he announced a social media ban.
Speaking during a press conference at Downing Street, the prime minister said: “We’re not going to start taking action against 13 and 14 and 15-year-olds who are trying, as they always will, to get around rules that adults put in their path, so this is absolutely aimed at those that are providing the platform.”
On freedom of speech he insisted the ban is about “basic protection of children”, adding: “How many people in this room are prepared to defend adult strangers contacting children online? And we know what happens when that develops into the sort of abuse and worse.
“How many people are prepared to stand up and say ‘that’s free speech and I wouldn’t do anything about it’ any more than you’d say we wouldn’t take measures to stop that happening in the offline world?
“I think it’s extraordinary that somehow we’ve got ourselves to a position where until now we’ve shrugged our shoulders – I genuinely think it’s difficult to think in what circumstances any of us would put our children into a place where unknown adults could have access to them without us knowing anything about it one to one, we wouldn’t do it.
“So, it’s not about free speech, it’s about basic protection of children.”
Australian PM welcomes ban on social media for under-16s
10:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on taking what he called an “important step” to ban social media for under-18s.
In a post on X he wrote: “Congratulations on taking this important step, Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer.
“Social media giants operate across borders. By standing together, we can do more to hold them accountable and keep children safe online.”
Congratulations on taking this important step, Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 15, 2026
Social media giants operate across borders. By standing together, we can do more to hold them accountable and keep children safe online. https://t.co/iLbDSuMYLe
Industry 'must go further to make people safe', regulator says
09:50 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Communications regulator Ofcom said while there have already been changes to protect children online, “the industry needs to go much further to make people safe”.
Ofcom will be enforcing the ban on under-16 as online safety regulator.
A spokesperson for the watchdog said: “So far, Ofcom has driven some of the strongest changes of any online safety regulation in the world, from widespread age checks to grooming protections for children.
“But the industry needs to go much further to make people safe.
“The government has entrusted us to build on this progress with new measures to protect children, and we’re ready to work closely with them as the detailed regulations take shape.”
Full list of social media platforms included in Starmer’s under-16s ban
09:35 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Social media platforms will be blocked for children under the age of 16 in a historic move from Sir Keir Starmer, as he said a “total ban is the right choice”.
The prime minister announced the restriction in a Downing Street press conference on Monday morning as he warned social media was having an impact on children’s happiness and mental health.
This included “making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse” children, and could be exposing them to “dangerous” content. A number of major platforms are to be included in the ban which will be a blow to US tech giants.
You can read which platforms are set to be banned below:
Full list of social media platforms included in Starmer’s under-16s ban
Starmer to discuss ban with Trump amid tension over policy
09:23 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is likely to discuss the decision to ban social media for under-16s with Donald Trump at the G7 summit today.
Asked whether he had consulted with US President Donald Trump about the ban, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I honestly think that across world leaders, there has always been a recognition that leaders have to take steps to protect children.
“I don’t think that’s controversial. There will always be arguments as to exactly what the limits of that are and what rules should be in place, but I don’t see that as a problem, and obviously, we’re about to go off to the G7 later on today, and I will discuss this with world leaders when I’m there.”
He added: “In relation to President Trump, I spoke to him on Saturday, I’ll see him again this afternoon, and yes, of course, we’ll discuss this and many other issues, and lots of other leaders are very interested in it.”
There has been resistance from the Trump administration about action against social media sites which are largely based in the US.
'It's the right thing to do': Under-16s react to social media ban
09:11 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Children under 16 who are set to be banned from social media from next year are reacting to this morning’s announcement.
Olivia, 14, said while she supports some restriction she believes children should be taught to use social media “positively” rather than face a ban.
“Despite the fact sometimes I find it addictive and distracting, I use it mostly for communication and sometimes revision when I have exams and stuff like that,” she told The Independent.
“Therefore, I think instead of banning social media, schools or parents should teach under sixteens how to use it safely and positively.”
Hollie, 13, said she believes the ban is the “right thing to do” but worries about how it will be enforced.
“I think the social media ban is overall a good thing, but I think it's going to be quite hard to enforce that rule because a lot of people might not agree with it because they want to keep their social media,” she said.
“But I think it's the right thing to do.”
Campaigners share mixed views as responses flood in
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Campaigners have shared mixed views on Monday’s announcement of a social media ban for under-16s.
Smartphone Free Childhood has hailed the ban as a “hugely significant moment for children and families across the UK”.
Co-founder Joe Ryrie said: “For years, parents have been fighting a losing battle against some of the most powerful companies in the world as smartphones and social media have become an ever bigger part of childhood. Today feels like a turning point.
“This social media ban won’t solve every problem overnight, but it is a major step forward because millions of children will now get a few more years to grow up before entering online environments that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind.”
But children’s charity Plan International UK warned the ban fails to tackle the underlying causes of misogyny online.
Morgan Griffith-David, senior influencing lead for UK Girls’ Rights at the charity said: “Banning children does nothing to tackle the dangerous misogyny and sexism that has become so rampant across social media. Harmful gender norms are being constantly reinforced by social media algorithms and addictive features driven by profit, not safety – and blocking access for children lets tech companies off the hook by not forcing them to address these issues.
“We all want children to be safe online, but under this ban, one day a young person will have no access to social media, and the next they turn 16 and find themselves in online spaces with no experience, preparation, or safeguards. The ban also risks pushing children towards dangerous and unregulated corners of the web, potentially exposing them to far more harmful content.
“Instead of removing access for young people, the government should focus on ensuring social media companies are properly regulated and held responsible for creating safe spaces for children online. Girls deserve to feel joyful and safe online, not shut out of the spaces that help them learn, connect and belong.
“We await the details but proper regulation, not an outright ban, of social media - with the safety of children at the forefront of any decision making – is the most appropriate way to keep young people safe online.”
Esther Ghey praises govt decision to invest in after-school clubs
08:55 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A parent whose daughter was killed by two teenagers told BBC Breakfast that she was “happy” to hear the government investing in after-school clubs while bringing in a social media ban.
Esther Ghey’s daughter, Brianna, was 16 years old when she was murdered in 2023 by two teenagers who had accessed harmful content online.
Ms Ghey said: “Another thing that I’m really happy about is that the government are now investing in after-school clubs, because we can’t just take things away from children.
“I think that although we are celebrating, that this can potentially save so many children’s lives, but there will be children and other campaigners out there that will be concerned about this decision, and we need to make sure that there is support in place for these children and for these families.”
Starmer denies ban is to secure his legacy
08:48 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer has denied he has announced a social media ban in order to secure his legacy.
The prime minister will likely face a challenge to his leadership if Andy Burnham claims victory in Thursday’s by-election in Makerfield.
Asked if he was announcing the ban this week because of the contest, he said: “In relation to the legacy issues, I see this differently. This is a huge issue for the country. This isn't about any one individual.”
He said the by-election “not what it’s about”, adding: “So, for me, this is bigger than some of the usual to and fro's of politics, although there's plenty of that.”
Which apps and platforms will be included in the ban?
08:42 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The government has set out a number of apps it intends to ban for under-16s as part of sweeping social media reforms.
It has said the ban will include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.
So-called AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots - designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users - will also have to enforce a minimum age of 18.
But the government does not expect to ban under-16s from messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, it said.
The ban is likely to include a narrowly defined list of exemptions in order to allow children to access educational platforms and music streaming sites.
Reforms will take 'world-leading action on gaming and live-streaming services'
08:37 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The prime minister said that the proposals will take “world-leading action on gaming services and live-streaming platforms”.
Sir Keir Starmer told a press conference: “It won’t be easy, I mean, some technology companies want us to think that social media is unchangeable, part of an almost natural order, but we have to resist that kind of learned helplessness. We have agency, we can change it, and we will.
“Yes, it’s hard, hard to legislate for, hard to regulate, hard to enforce, that is why we sought a wide range of views on this.
He added: “That is why we listened to people, had a conversation, we looked carefully at the evidence, learned from countries like Australia that are taking similar steps, and we are not just bringing forward a ban, we are going further, we’re taking world-leading action on gaming services and live-streaming platforms, where at the moment strangers can contact any child unchecked.
“Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger, an adult that you don’t know anything about? No, so we’re taking action on that.”
When will social media ban come into force?
08:33 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
The incoming ban on social media for under 16s will come into force in the early part of 2027, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The prime minister said his government hopes to pass regulations before Christmas, and therefore bring the ban into force around springtime next year.
“We're going to go at speed now,” he said. “We've taken the preparatory measures to make sure that we could do that, precisely why we did that some months ago.”
Starmer accepts ban won’t prevent all children using social media
08:28 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer accepted that a social media ban for under 16s won’t prevent all young people from accessing platforms.
The prime minister defended the policy as the right move regardless, comparing it to age limits on selling alcohols.
He said: “Now, will it mean that no child ever logs on to social media again?
“No, but look, this might shock you, but it doesn't shock parents of teenagers - they get around other laws too.
“But we don't say, ‘Oh, look, a teenager managed to get a drink somehow, so let's not bother banning alcohol sales to children’.
“We don't do that, do we? That will be utterly ridiculous. And so I just don't accept that argument.”
Starmer: I will fight for child safety against the most powerful companies in the world
08:24 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to fight “the most powerful companies in the world” as he announces a ban on social media for under 16s.
The prime minister said the move will show the government “stands by” parents worried about the impacts of social media on young people and will “fight for their happiness and safety against the most powerful companies in the world”.
“Because this could be a fight, and to this point it has been a fight. It doesn't have to be.
“I always prefer the politics of partnership, and I fundamentally believe that we must harness the power of technology to build a stronger, fairer Britain, but we must also protect our children, and so I want this message to be heard loud and clear.
“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.”
Analysis: Yet another U-turn by Keir Starmer
08:21 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
The problem with Keir Starmer’s premiership is that the uncertainty of his decision making and multiple U-turns makes him constantly at the mercy of events rather than leading them.
While many will welcome this announcement on social media ban for under-16s, the problem is that Sir Keir has resisted a ban for more than a year. It has been pushed by the Tories and others including in Labour but Sir Keir did not want to do it.
As he even noted today: “This is not something I do lightly. It is not cost free. I am not going to say that social media has done nothing good for children.”
The issue is a little like his decision to scrap two child benefit, something else he resisted against demands of his own backbenchers and eventually was forced into as his position weakened politically.
Now this decision on a social media ban is taking place in a context where many expect Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to be elected in the by-election and launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir.
In some ways now, this ban may end up being more about Sir Keir’s legacy rather than something that could save him.
Social media is making children unhappy, Starmer says
08:18 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is banning social media for under 16s because it is making children “unhappy”.
Announcing the ban at a press conference on Monday, Sir Keir said: “I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we're thinking about this issue, you know.
“All I've ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, and I think that's what any parent wants.
“But I ask the question now, do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children?”
He added: “Social media is making children unhappy, it's making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health, exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that's what grabs the attention.”
Starmer celebrates US-Iran ceasefire
08:17 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer began his press conference on Monday by celebrating the ceasefire between the US and Iran.
“I welcome the breakthrough reached last night between the US and Iran, and I congratulate President Trump, the mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, and all those involved,” he said.
“This is a hugely significant moment. We have long called for de-escalation, and it is vital that all parties seize this opportunity to secure stability in the region and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which in turn will ease the economic pressures felt by people here in the United Kingdom and around the world.”
Starmer announces social media ban for under 16s
08:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Sir Keir Starmer has officially confirmed his government will ban social media for all children under 16s.
“Today is a big moment for our country,” he said, thanking campaigners as he addressed a press conference in Downing Street on Monday. “This is a big step, real change for our children and our future.
“Because today I can announce that the government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16.”
Starmer to unveil social media ban for under-16s
08:07 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
We are waiting for the prime minister to share details of an expected social media ban for under-16s this morning.
Sir Keir Starmer will speak from Downing Street at around 8:10am.
You can read more about what he is set to announce from The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke below:
Starmer to unveil social media ban for under-16s
Children want stronger protections on social media, consultation shows
07:50 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Many young people support some level of restriction on their social media use, according to the government’s consultation.
More than 6 in ten (62 per cent) said restricting risky features - such as the ability to send explicit images, and restrictions on livestreaming would make them feel safer.
Over 6 in 10 (63 per cent) back limits on explicit image sharing – reflecting deep concerns about exposure to harmful content and sexual imagery.
Around 116,000 people responded to the consultation in total - one of the biggest responses to a government consultation in recent years.
Among them, over 14,000 children and young people aged 10-21 shared their experiences of life online.
Campaigners warn social media ban 'fails to tackle fundamental issues'
07:35 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Campaigners have warned that a blanket social media ban will “fail to tackle fundamental issues” with social media ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement this morning.
The Molly Rose Foundation, set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content online, said a social media ban “will fail to tackle fundamental product safety risks issues and leaves parents with a false sense of safety”.
Chief executive Andy Burrows said: “A majority of children will continue to use high-risk sites that will have no incentive to implement robust protections.
“This is not what online safety experts believe will work and is necessary. Keir Starmer has chosen to abdicate responsibility for tackling harmful algorithms and his legacy will be setting back children’s safety by years.”
Mark Frankel, head of public affairs at Full Fact, told The Independent the organisation is concerned about the impact of a ban on young people’s media literacy.
“We know that young people predominantly get their information from social media, and predominantly media literacy is an issue across the board when it comes to access to information,” he said.
“Denying them access to information on social media platforms is a problem because it's essentially what you're doing is you're taking with one hand and giving with another.”
Leanda Barrington-Leach, executive director of the 5Rights Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that campaigns for online safety, said “a ban or curfew may change who comes through the front door, but it does not change what is waiting for children inside” and that firms must be driven “to make their products safe for kids”.
90 per cent of parents back social media ban, consultation finds
07:22 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Monday’s announcement on a social media ban for under-16s follows a government consultation which saw more than 116,000 responses from experts, parents, and young people.
Of the parents who responded, 90 per cent supported a minimum age of 16 before anyone is able to access social media, with 85 per cent saying the risk of social media outweigh the benefits.
Government must 'deliver in full on their pledge'
06:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Lord Nash, a Tory former education minister who led the campaign for an under-16s social media ban in the House of Lords, said: “The government now has an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and end tech companies’ uncontrolled experiment with children’s safety.
“They must deliver in full on their pledge to raise the age limit to 16 for harmful platforms and features, with robust age verification to ensure it is properly enforced.
“Only by doing this can they begin to end the catastrophic harm being done to a generation. Let’s give our children their childhood back.”
Starmer will take 'bold action' to keep children safe online
06:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The prime minister has said he will take “bold action” to keep children safe online.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy.
“This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.
“People rightly expect action, and this government will always stand up for parents and put children first.
“That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”
Starmer announces under-16s crackdown in major online safety overhaul
06:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The prime minister has vowed to take “bold action” in his fight to keep children safe online ahead of a set of sweeping reforms.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce an under-16s social media ban at a Downing Street press conference on Monday.
It comes as the vast majority of parents responding to a government consultation backed a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.
