Starmer Prepares Children's Social Media Crackdown for Next Week as Under-16 Ban Weighed
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Starmer Prepares Children's Social Media Crackdown for Next Week as Under-16 Ban Weighed
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Summary
Next week, Keir Starmer is set to unveil a new policy restricting children's access to social media, with the announcement expected in a prime ministerial speech within days.
Under-16 access is at the center of the review, with ministers considering a blanket ban similar to Australia's model while also discussing exemptions for less harmful parts of social media.
The shift follows months of political pressure from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and dozens of Labour MPs, which pushed the government to open a public consultation in March.
That consultation closed last month, after which Starmer promised "decisive" action and said the measures would be a "game-changer," marking a reversal from his earlier resistance to restrictions.
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UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s: Starmer’s "Australian-Plus" Model Set for 2026 Rollout
Overview
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a major policy banning social media for under-16s, following a nationwide consultation that showed strong parental support for stricter regulations. The policy, expected to use an 'Australian-plus' model, aims to protect young people from online harms and could start by the end of 2026 with age limits and feature restrictions. The government’s commitment is driven by high rates of social media use among children and a determination to challenge tech companies, highlighting the urgency and broad support for safeguarding the next generation online.