UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, June 15, 2026, that his government will ban children under 16 from using social media. The ban would apply to major platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not included in the ban. AI “romantic companion” chatbots will also face restrictions, limited to users aged 18 and over. Starmer said the ban could be in place by next spring.
The UK government stated its ban will go further than any other country’s. Australia was the first to impose a similar restriction late last year, and Canada, France, and Denmark have begun developing their own bans.
The government said the changes are designed to “put power back in parents’ hands and give kids the childhood they deserve.” Earlier this year, the government consulted parents, young people, and civil society on whether a ban would be effective. More than 83% of parents who participated said social media’s risks outweigh its benefits.
Starmer cited mental health concerns and addictive design as key drivers behind the decision. “Every parent can see it with their own eyes, social media is making children unhappy,” he said at a press conference. “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. It’s designed to be addictive, of course it is. Features like the infinite scroll, they’re designed to lock you in for hours.”
Experts have questioned whether a blanket ban would be effective. Starmer acknowledged the enforcement challenges but said he believes the ban is achievable.
Source: TechCrunch