Keir Starmer is set to reveal a ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16 this morning as part of a significant package of online safety measures aimed at safeguarding young people.
The Prime Minister will commit to challenging the big tech companies and ending a system that is failing children. Mr. Starmer emphasized on Sunday evening, “People rightfully expect action, and this administration will consistently support parents and prioritize the well-being of children.”
The Prime Minister will disclose the proposed measures during a press briefing from just after 8 am at Downing Street. Although the specific social media platforms facing a ban are not confirmed, it is anticipated that the UK will follow in Australia’s footsteps by restricting access to major platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat.
The planned regulations in the UK are anticipated to be more comprehensive than those in Australia, where a ban was implemented in December. The proposed measures are expected to extend to AI chatbots and gaming platforms, in addition to imposing restrictions on social media usage for 16- and 17-year-olds to discourage late-night browsing.
The public consultation on social media regulations, which concluded on May 26, received approximately 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest consultation in history. The overwhelming majority of parents who participated expressed concerns that the risks of social media outweigh its benefits for children, with 91% supporting a minimum age requirement of 16 for children to access these platforms.
Moreover, over 83% of parents and 62% of children who provided feedback agreed that limiting high-risk features would enhance online safety. However, 72% of children also expressed concerns about feeling excluded if restrictions were imposed.
The proposed social media ban has faced criticism from advocates of online safety, including the Molly Rose Foundation, whose CEO Andy Burrows labeled it as “unenforceable.” He argued that the ban would not effectively address fundamental safety risks associated with social media platforms, leaving parents with a false sense of security.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to hold a press conference at Downing Street shortly after 8 am today to unveil a groundbreaking set of social media reforms, including a ban for individuals under 16. These measures come in response to growing demands following Australia’s implementation of a similar ban in December.
The extensively debated regulations stem from a three-month consultation on online safety that concluded on May 26, attracting feedback from parents, industry representatives, and young individuals. The consultations highlighted strong support for age restrictions similar to those in Australia, with the majority advocating for enhanced online safety measures to protect children.