The United Kingdom government has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made the announcement during a press conference at 10 Downing Street, describing the move as a major step toward protecting children's wellbeing and mental health.
According to Starmer, the ban is aimed at reducing children's exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, and addictive features commonly found on social media platforms.
"I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children," the Prime Minister said, adding that the government is committed to implementing the policy.
The restrictions are expected to take effect from spring 2027 at the earliest. Educational services and music streaming platforms will not be affected by the ban.
Starmer acknowledged that social media has provided benefits but argued that excessive use is negatively affecting children's mental health, academic performance, and social development.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While supporters describe the move as necessary for child protection, critics argue that it does not address broader online safety concerns.
The Molly Rose Foundation, an organisation campaigning for stronger online safety measures, warned that the ban alone may not adequately protect children from harmful online content and called for stricter regulation of social media algorithms.
The United Kingdom's current minimum age requirement for most social media platforms is 13 years.
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