UK moves to ban social media for under-16s

The UK government is planning to impose restrictions on major social media platforms for users under the age of 16. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the new policy soon, according to reports .

Under the proposed plan, popular platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram could be banned for users under 16. The government is also considering banning live streaming on apps that are considered relatively safer for children . Additionally, plans are underway to limit the ability to communicate with strangers on gaming platforms .

The government is also considering whether to impose specific time limits or "curfews" on social media use for older teenagers . These measures are seen by many as a stricter version of Australia's recent policy, informally referred to as "Australia-plus" .

Starmer has stated that ensuring children's online safety is one of the biggest challenges of the current era, and the government aims to build a system that reduces harmful online environments for children .

A government consultation survey found that a large majority of participants supported a social media ban for under-16s, with nearly 90 per cent of parents also backing the initiative .

However, the plan has been criticised by child rights activists and some organisations, who argue that such bans may not fully solve the problem and could instead push children towards more risky online platforms .

Organisations such as the NSPCC and the Internet Watch Foundation have suggested that instead of bans, putting more pressure on technology companies to make platforms safer could be more effective .

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said the government believes the time for tech companies to take responsibility is running out and that tougher action is being considered before a final decision is made .