Starmer expected to unveil social media ban for under-16s

The UK government will unveil plans to ban social media for under-16s, raising the minimum age to 16 for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit. The move follows Australia’s December 2023 policy but goes further by including stricter age checks and curfews for older teenagers to curb late-night scrolling. A government consultation received over 116,000 responses, the second-largest in UK history, with 90% of 39,116 parents supporting the ban. Three-quarters of respondents said families would argue less and schools would better manage digital behavior under age restrictions, while 88% believed fewer children would encounter harmful content. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the ban alone won’t solve online harms but is part of broader protections. She noted Australia’s enforcement challenges, including VPN bypasses and fake birthdates, and suggested the UK will implement tougher age verification. An Institute for Public Policy Research survey found only 15% trust government ministers to decide platform appropriateness, with greater confidence in parents (51%) and regulators (49%). Meanwhile, 44% support the under-16 ban, reflecting mixed but significant public backing. The government aims to shift cultural expectations, as current norms allow children as young as eight or nine to use social media. Nandy cited emotional immaturity as a key concern, arguing stricter rules could reshape societal attitudes toward early platform access.