Keir Starmer is set to announce a prohibition on social media access for individuals under 16 years old today, unveiling a comprehensive set of online safety measures aimed at safeguarding young people.
The Prime Minister is committed to challenging major tech companies and addressing a system that is failing children. Starmer emphasized the government’s dedication to prioritizing children’s welfare and supporting parents.
The announcement will take place during a press conference at Downing Street shortly after 8 am. While specific social media platforms facing restrictions are yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat will be included.
The proposed measures in the UK will surpass those in Australia, extending regulations to AI chatbots, gaming platforms, and imposing restrictions on social media usage for 16- and 17-year-olds to discourage late-night scrolling habits.
The public consultation on social media regulations, which concluded on May 26, received a substantial response of around 116,000 submissions. The consultation revealed strong support for an under-16 ban, with over 83% of parents expressing concerns about social media risks outweighing the benefits for children.
Furthermore, the feedback indicated that 91% of respondents favored a minimum age requirement of 16 for platforms to provide services to children. Additionally, about 62% of children agreed that restricting high-risk features would enhance their online safety, although 72% expressed concerns about potential feelings of exclusion due to imposed restrictions.
However, not all stakeholders are supportive of the proposed social media ban. The Molly Rose Foundation, an advocate for social media safety, criticized the ban as impractical and likely to be ineffective in addressing fundamental safety concerns. CEO Andy Burrows warned that the ban could create a false sense of security for parents and children, urging a more comprehensive approach to online safety.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to hold a press conference at Downing Street this morning after 8 am to introduce a significant set of social media reforms, including a ban for individuals under 16. The announcement follows mounting pressure following Australia’s implementation of a similar ban in December.
The proposed measures, subject to widespread debate, stem from a three-month online safety consultation that attracted 116,000 responses from parents, industry stakeholders, and young individuals. The consultation results revealed a strong demand for age restrictions similar to those in Australia, with the majority of parents and a significant portion of young people supporting such limits.