Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has revealed plans to stop children under 16 from accessing major social media sites, saying the step is needed to protect their mental health and give them a safer childhood.
Speaking on Monday from outside No. 10 Downing Street in a live broadcast by Sky News, the Prime Minister called the proposal a “big moment” for Britain. He argued that technology now takes up too much of young people’s time and that government action could no longer wait.
Starmer said the plan marks real change for children and their future. He accepted that social media has some benefits, but insisted the government’s main responsibility is safety. Speaking as a parent, he said he understands the fears many families have and, like all parents, only wants his children to be happy and protected. He asked whether anyone truly believes social media is a safe and happy place for children, adding that the answer is obvious.
Under the proposed law, Parliament will consider the bill before Christmas and, if approved, the ban will start in spring next year. Children under 16 will be blocked from platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X. Private messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be affected.
The Prime Minister made clear that social media companies will be responsible for enforcing age checks, not the children themselves. He said teenagers aged 13 to 15 will not face punishment. The rules will also cover gaming apps by stopping children from talking to strangers. In addition, “romantic chatbots” will be banned for anyone under 18 and other AI chat tools will face new limits. For 16 and 17-year-olds, live-streaming features will be turned off by default and officials are considering a night-time curfew.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Child protection charity NSPCC described it as a “watershed moment” that tackles addictive features and online harm. YouTube disagreed, saying it already provides age-appropriate content and warning that a blanket ban could push children toward unregulated, less safe parts of the internet.
Amnesty International UK said the government identified the right problem but chose the wrong fix. Chief Executive Kerry Moscogiuri argued that companies should be forced to redesign unsafe platforms instead of banning children from online spaces.
Opposition parties also criticised the timing. The Conservatives called the delay “shameful,” while other MPs questioned how the ban would work in practice, especially with tools like VPNs.
Starmer ended his address with a firm message. He said he will not compromise on keeping children safe and happy, and that is why the ban must go ahead.
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🎥 Credit: Sky News