UK joins Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia in banning social media for under-16s

The United Kingdom has announced a nationwide ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, becoming the fourth country after Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia to introduce such restrictions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measure is aimed at protecting children's safety, wellbeing and mental health, and stressed that the government would proceed with the policy despite expected opposition from technology companies and critics.

Announcing the decision, Starmer said the government could not compromise on the safety and happiness of children. He stated that excessive use of social media was increasingly affecting young people by disrupting healthy routines, reducing time spent on studies, reading and social interaction, and negatively impacting sleep patterns. He also raised concerns about online bullying, abuse and the addictive design of many digital platforms.

The British government is preparing a broader online safety package that extends beyond social media platforms. According to officials, the proposed measures will also target gaming applications, livestreaming services and digital platforms that allow contact between children and strangers without sufficient safeguards. Additional restrictions, including possible social media curfews for children, are also under consideration.

Government officials said the new framework follows a three-month consultation that examined both a complete social media ban and other measures to reduce children's exposure to harmful online features. The consultation received 116,000 responses, with a large majority of participating parents supporting restrictions on social media access for children under 16. Authorities also reviewed international examples before finalising the proposal.

The government plans to pass the necessary regulations before Christmas, with implementation expected early next year. Britain's proposed restrictions are expected to cover major social media platforms already subject to similar age-based bans in Australia. The government has also indicated that it possesses the regulatory powers required to enforce the policy and implement the wider online safety reforms.