British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a sweeping ban on social media access for children under 16, in what would be one of the toughest online safety regimes in the world. The move, he said, is driven by mounting evidence that major platforms are “making children unhappy” and exposing them to harmful content.

The proposed law would bar under-16s from using platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp are expected to remain outside the scope of the ban, reflecting the government’s focus on algorithm-driven feeds and recommendation systems rather than private communications.

Starmer said he aims to pass the legislation by late December, with the ban coming into force in the spring. The government is positioning the measure as a child-protection initiative targeting content designed to be addictive, as well as material linked to self-harm, eating disorders, bullying and sexual exploitation.

The plan follows a large public consultation in which around 116,000 people took part. According to government figures, more than 83 per cent of parents who responded said the risks of social media outweighed the benefits for children, and 91 per cent supported setting the minimum age at 16. Teenagers involved in government trials tested app time limits and temporary bans, feeding into the final proposals.

Ministers say the crackdown will not stop at social networks. Starmer has promised “world-leading action on gaming services and live streaming platforms” that allow strangers to contact children directly. Officials are examining measures such as overnight curfews for under-18s and enforced breaks in infinite scrolling, with further details expected in July.

Technology companies are already pushing back. A YouTube spokesperson warned that a blanket ban could drive young people onto “less safe services” beyond regulators’ reach. The government, however, argues that platforms and device makers have a moral responsibility to protect children and has signalled it is prepared to legislate if voluntary safeguards fall short.

The UK move comes amid a global shift toward tighter regulation of children’s online lives. Australia has already introduced a nationwide under-16 social media ban, while Canada has tabled a Digital Safety Act that would prohibit social media accounts for under-16s and require AI services to curb harmful content. Indonesia has begun enforcing its own age-based restrictions, and several European governments are exploring similar steps.