- Britain will ban social media from offering services to under-16s, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday.
- Keir Starmer stated, “We’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.”
- Starmer is expected to announce that under-16s will be banned from major social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
- The prime minister was set to announce a ban covering the same 10 platforms now prohibited for under-16s in Australia: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook and Kick.
- Starmer emphasized, "As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy".
- Starmer stated, "People rightly expect action, and this government will always stand up for parents and put children first".
- Starmer is determined to make the announcement before heading to France for the G7 summit.
- Starmer seems to have gone for both options – under measures being described as “Australia plus”.
- Shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the delay in implementing a ban, stating, 'It’s shameful that it’s taken the prime minister’s job to be on the line for the government to finally u-turn and ban social media for under 16s.'
- Trott also noted that 'Three times Labour voted against a ban, failing to stand up to Big Tech and protect children from the extreme content they are exposed to every day.'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a groundbreaking ban on social media for children under 16, aiming to protect them from harmful online content. This initiative, described as 'Australia plus', will cover major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.1234568
Starmer stated, “We’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.” The ban aligns with similar measures introduced in Australia, which became the first country to implement such restrictions in December 2022.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for action, saying, “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.” This move comes after criticism of the government for not adequately addressing the risks posed by social media to children, with Starmer noting, “People rightly expect action, and this government will always stand up for parents and put children first.”
The ban will encompass a total of ten platforms, including YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook, and Kick, marking a significant shift in the UK’s approach to child safety online. Starmer's announcement is expected to resonate with parents concerned about their children's online experiences, as he himself acknowledged, “As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy.”
“Keir Starmer is set to announce a ban on social media for under-16s, aiming to 'give kids their childhood back.' The ban will include major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.”
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