Under-16s to be banned from social media in "big moment" for the country
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he'll introduce a ban on social media for under-16s
Last updated 15th Jun 2026
Sir Keir Starmer has announced under-16s will be banned from a range of social media in a "big moment for the country".
The Prime Minister has addressed the nation this morning at a press conference from Downing Street saying it was clear to him that "a full ban is the right choice".
He added: "This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong.
“But government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice.
“I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we’re thinking about this issue.
“All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, and I think that’s what any parent wants, but I ask the question now, ‘do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children?’
“Do we truly believe that it’s a place where they can feel safe? I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I?
“Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy.”
Sir Keir Starmer said social media was “making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse” children and “could even be harming their mental health – exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that’s what grabs the attention”.
He added: “It’s designed to be addictive, of course it is. Features like the infinite scroll, they’re designed to lock you in for hours, and if nothing else, there’s an opportunity cost to that.
“It stops children doing their homework, reading, playing with their friends outside, going to bed a decent hour.
“Now that may not sound like much, but these are the activities that help a child develop into an adult.
“We know how important they are. We just never thought that something would come along to threaten them.”
It follows similar changes in Australia who raised the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
But the ban will go further with the Government saying it will take "world leading" action on gaming and live streaming platforms so strangers will not be able to contact children.
Sir Keir Starmer says he expects the ban to come into force "in the early part of next year".