Social Media will be banned for Under-16s - what this actually means
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under-16s after months of consultations. Here is what it will mean for both under 16s and those aged 16-18.
Sir Keir Starmer held a press conference this morning where he confirmed that he would ban social media for all under-16s.
Speaking to a room full of journalists and campaigners in what Sir Keir called a “big moment for the country”, Starmer said it was clear a “full ban is the right choice” for the country.
Outlining the plans for the enforcement of these new regulations, the Prime Minister said that he would aim to get the legislation passed by Christmas and have it fully implemented by Spring 2027.
“I will not compromise on the safety and happiness of our children”, said Sir Keir in his statement this morning, adding that not all children will adhere to the ban and find ways around it. He compared this to other laws such as underaged drinking where he said that just because some like to find ways around it doesn't mean it shouldn’t be enforced.
What platforms are currently under the ban?
The government has confirmed which apps will currently be under the ban. It prioritises apps that are ran by algorithms and not direct messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal. Platforms like these are set to be banned:
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)
A government spokesperson said “The government plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia. This would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material”.
So-called AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots – designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users are also going to be under this ban and restricted for 18+.
Starmer has also confirmed the ban will extend to gaming platforms however it is not yet clear what those restrictions might look like.
16-18 year olds
Sir Keir was questioned a lot about sanctions for 16-18 year olds to avoid a slam dunk back into the online world after the ban.
Restrictions on live streaming and stranger communication will be on by default.
The government is also looking at overnight curfews and banning features such as infinite scrolling for this age group. More details will be set out in July.
So, what happens now?
There will be no immediate changes in the circumstances for online usage for under-16s as the legislation still needs to pass through parliament.
Adults will most likely not need to verify their age as their account will be verified in other ways such as through email, the account being open for 16 years or they have already verified their age through the Online Safety Act.
For those that will need to verify their age, it could be a simple facial recognition check however more details will be set out about this in due course.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said “Today we take a bold and significant step, towards creating a safer, healthier life online, for our children and future generations.”
She went onto say that “My driving force has always been to give every child, from every background, the best possible start in life. That is what these regulations will deliver.”