Starmer announced a ban on social media for children in the UK — Reuters
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media. According to him, additional restrictions are also planned for gaming platforms and live-streaming services as part of a policy to tighten regulation of tech companies.
These radical changes “will give children back their childhood,” Starmer said, outlining measures against platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as gaming sites that allow strangers to communicate with children.
“It is clear to me that a total ban is the right choice,” the British prime minister said at a press conference.
The UK will use a model similar to Australia’s, which introduced a ban last December, the government said.
It will apply to platforms that also include YouTube, Facebook, and X, but messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban.
The UK will also introduce “the world’s most advanced” restrictions on harmful features, such as live streaming and communication between children under 16 and strangers.
The relevant regulations are expected to be adopted in the UK by the end of the year. The ban will take effect around next spring, Reuters reports.
Earlier, the UK communications regulator Ofcom criticized the popular platforms TikTok and YouTube for failing to take the necessary measures to protect underage users, despite clear evidence of harm.
