The move, which follows months of public consultation and growing pressure on the government, will prevent under-16s from accessing major social media platforms beginning in early 2027.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer confirmed that legislation will be passed through Parliament before Christmas and will come into force at the start of 2027.
The ban will apply to major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, Threads, YouTube and Reddit.
The government said the measures are intended to improve online safety and reduce excessive late-night phone use among children.
‘A full ban is the right choice’
Starmer said his decision was heavily influenced by his experience as a parent.
“All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and safe,” he said.
Questioning the impact of social media on young people, the prime minister asked whether such platforms genuinely provide a safe and healthy environment for children.
“Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy. It is making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them,” he said.
Concerns over addiction, mental health
The British leader argued that many social media platforms are deliberately designed to keep users engaged for extended periods.
“It’s designed to be addictive. Features like the infinite scroll are designed to lock you in for hours,” Starmer said.
He warned that excessive social media use could affect children’s mental health and expose them to harmful content designed to attract attention and maximize engagement.
According to Starmer, prolonged screen time also prevents children from doing homework, reading, spending time outdoors with friends and maintaining healthy sleep habits.
“These are the activities that help a child develop into an adult,” he said.
Ban to extend beyond traditional social media
The UK government's restrictions will go further than similar measures adopted elsewhere. In addition to mainstream social media platforms, the ban will also cover romantic or sexual AI chatbots.
Children will also be prevented from communicating with strangers through gaming platforms.
Recent reports suggest the government may follow the approach taken by Australia by allowing access to some curated services such as YouTube Kids while restricting access to other social media platforms.
The decision follows a major public consultation launched earlier this year, which attracted more than 110,000 responses. Officials later confirmed that approximately 116,000 submissions were received, making it the second-largest public consultation in British history.
The consultation asked both children and adults for their views on possible social media restrictions.
According to the results, more than 83% of parents who responded said the risks of social media outweighed its benefits for children.
A total of 91% supported a minimum age of 16 before platforms could offer services to children. Among children who participated, 62% said restricting high-risk features would make them safer online.
However, 72% also expressed concern about feeling excluded or left out if restrictions were introduced.
Public remains divided
A separate survey conducted for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found the public remains divided on the best approach.
The poll showed that 44% supported a complete ban, while 39% preferred stricter regulation instead.
Among parents with children under 16, support for a ban was significantly higher, with 54% backing restrictions compared with 36% favouring tighter regulation.
Among those supporting a ban is Esther Ghey, whose daughter, Brianna Ghey, was murdered in February 2023. Speaking last month, Ghey urged Starmer to demonstrate strong leadership on the issue.
“The longer we delay, the more children’s lives will be lost and the more families will be joining the group we are part of,” she said.
Govt faced mounting pressure
The British government has faced growing pressure to introduce stronger online protections since Australia began enforcing its own under-16 social media ban in December 2025.
The issue was also debated extensively in the House of Lords, where peers twice voted to include similar measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
The eventual compromise saw ministers commit to introducing age-based or functionality restrictions.
The social media ban comes just days after Starmer issued a three-month ultimatum to major technology companies to make it technologically impossible for children to create, share or view nude images on smartphones.
The latest move could spark criticism from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has previously warned against blanket social media bans for under-16s.
Starmer dismisses concerns
The prime minister acknowledged that some teenagers may find ways to bypass the restrictions but insisted that this should not prevent the government from acting.
“Teenagers get around other laws too, but we don’t stop banning alcohol sales to children because some manage to obtain it,” he said.
Starmer argued that laws are not only about enforcement but also about expressing society’s values and shaping expectations for future generations.
“This will change the conversations that parents have and the expectations of children over time. It will make a huge difference,” he said.
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