Starmer to Confirm Social Media Ban for UK Teens Ahead of G7

But ​with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Prime ​Minister Keir Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence ⁠from Australia, which brought in a ban for under 16s last year.

Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on children using social media after an official government consultation found nine out of 10 parents back a minimum age limit of 16.

The government may need to legislate to enforce the ban and to give itself flexibility to adapt to new technology, though the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act does give ministers some powers already.

The UK is expected to follow Australia’s example in raising the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit, in a series of measures being unveiled by the government next week.