British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, 25 Jowza, that the UK government is considering banning the use of social media for all individuals under the age of 16. Starmer said the measure is aimed at protecting children’s health, well-being, and safety in the online environment.
Speaking at a press conference, Starmer stated that he hopes the legislation related to the proposal will be approved before Christmas, with implementation expected to begin early next year. According to him, the UK government is working to establish a legal framework that provides greater protection for children and teenagers online.
Under the proposed plan, platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram could be subject to new restrictions. The UK government has described these measures as part of its broader efforts to reduce online harms and address excessive mobile phone use, particularly during late-night hours.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the decision is not linked to political or electoral objectives. He noted that individuals and organizations have been raising concerns about the issue for years, and that the proposal is driven by social concerns and the need to better protect younger generations.
The UK government also stated that it does not intend to rely solely on a social media ban. Officials are currently considering a range of additional measures aimed at enhancing the online safety of children and adolescents.
As part of these efforts, the UK plans to restrict or block certain high-risk features, including live-streaming services and the ability of users under 16 to communicate with strangers online. The goal is to reduce potential risks and strengthen protections for younger users.
Government officials are also examining proposals such as limiting social media use during nighttime hours and introducing interruptions to infinite scrolling for users under the age of 18. Full details of these initiatives are expected to be released in July.
Since March of this year, the UK government has invited parents, children, and experts to share their views on various measures, including app usage time limits, stricter age-verification requirements, and enhanced online safety protections. Some of these proposals have also been tested on a trial basis with selected families.
A ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16 was first introduced and implemented in Australia. Several other countries are now considering similar policies as part of broader efforts to better protect children and teenagers in the digital environment.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
