“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,” said Starmer, arguing that such platforms are designed to be “addictive.”
The move for a “full ban” comes after a government consultation conducted between March and May found that 9 out of 10 parents backed such a measure.
“We’re not just bringing forward a ban,” he said. “We’re taking world-leading action on gaming services and live-streaming platforms.”
While the proposed legislation has received praise, some experts question how effective such a ban will be and whether more needs to be done to protect children in the digital age.
The government plans to use the same model for the social media ban as Australia. Their model includes Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
While a definitive list has yet to be announced, Starmer’s plans have been met with criticism from Big Tech.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, argues that a ban such as this creates new risks.
Snapchat, meanwhile, says that the majority of activity on its app takes place in private messaging between friends and family.
Beyond the restrictions on social media apps, AI “romantic companion” chatbots will have to enforce a minimum age of 18.
Live-streaming sites will also be restricted, as will some online services that offer gaming.
When is the ban expected to come into place?
An exact timeline has yet to be determined.
Ofcom, the U.K.'s regulator for communications services, will set out in the coming months “different options for effective forms of age assurance for proving whether someone is over 16 that are accurate, robust, reliable, and fair.”
Per the government, many adults won’t be subjected to such checks if they’ve already got an account that has been open more than 16 years, has a credit card connected to it, or is linked to an email address that’s age-verified by other means.
After the Online Safety Act was updated to include new age-verification measures in July 2025, Ofcom reported an “initial spike” in the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Network), with U.K. daily active users of VPN apps doubling to around 1.5 million.
While still in the early stages, the government also said it is looking into “overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18-year-olds.” Further details are set to be released in July.
What evidence supports a ban on social media for under-16s?
There is strong evidence to support the concern that social media is having a negative impact on children and young people on an individual basis. Social media use in children is as much a concern as smoking, senior doctors have said.
Amy Orben, professor and lead of the Digital Mental Health programme at Cambridge University, agrees there is “very good evidence that social media has harmed individuals,” pointing towards some instances in which young people's deaths have been linked to social media.
However, when looking more broadly, Orben says, “there's potentially a very small negative link between increased time spent on social media and well-being or mental health in whole populations of young people.”
“We also know that social media is addictive by design. The nature of this endless scrolling encourages children's use of social media,” says Lott, explaining that excessive phone use can also discourage young people from taking part in physical activities.
But experts note that the rise in mental health issues among young people may also be due to reasons that go beyond the realm of social media.
Experts say other factors—such as the ongoing cost of living crisis, poor diet, and fewer youth clubs and centers—may also play a part.
But Lott says “we need more than just the social media ban to see that cultural shift to protect children and promote children's right to play.”
“Taking them out of that space may have a negative impact on their well-being,” Lott fears.
How has the scheme worked out in Australia?
Australia's internet regulator eSafety in March found that around 7 in 10 parents said their children still had social media accounts.
eSafety is currently investigating potential non-compliance by Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Similar findings have also been published by organizations such as the Molly Rose Foundation, which advocates for safer online environments for young people.
“I am proud of the world-leading work Australia is doing to fight for a safer online world for our children. We have a long way to go, and we knew it would not be easy,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a statement to TIME.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental-health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.
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