Britain will ban under-16s from social media apps, including TikTok and YouTube

Key Points:

• The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time, with the ban expected to take effect early next year.
• The ban follows a public consultation with over 116,000 responses, where more than 90% supported the under-16 restriction; enforcement will target technology companies rather than children, with potential multimillion-dollar fines for non-compliance.
• Additional measures under consideration include preventing strangers from contacting children on gaming and livestreaming platforms, overnight curfews, and breaks in infinite scrolling for users under 18, with further details to be announced soon.
• The move has received mixed reactions, with child safety advocates praising it as a life-saving step, while critics raise concerns about privacy, data protection, and the risk of pushing children toward less regulated, potentially more harmful platforms.
• The UK ban may heighten tensions with the US, which opposes broad regulations on social media citing free speech and burdens on American tech companies; Starmer plans to discuss the issue with global leaders at the upcoming G7 summit.