Starmer set to ban under-16s from major social media platforms
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- The UK government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, plans to introduce a ban on social media use for under-16s, similar to Australia's 2025 ban but with additional measures like curfews for older teens and AI chatbot restrictions, aiming to better protect children online.
- The new rules will also prohibit children from livestreaming on "safer" sites and prevent them from talking to strangers on gaming apps, with further details expected next month.
- A government consultation showed strong support for these measures, with 90% of responding parents backing a social media ban for under-16s and over 83% believing the risks of social media outweigh the benefits.
- Some campaigners, including Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell who died by suicide after exposure to harmful content, have criticized the ban, warning it could create a false sense of safety and push children to less regulated parts of the internet.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that technology firms have had ample time to improve online safety and highlighted that the debate is now focused on how to better protect children rather than whether to do so.
