Starmer set to ban under-16s from major social media platforms (opens original article in a new tab)

The UK prime minister plans to restrict social media for children, citing concerns about online safety, with reports suggesting bans on major platforms and additional measures, despite warnings from some campaigners about potential unintended consequences.

• Prime minister announces plans to restrict social media for children to address online safety concerns
• Reports suggest under-16s may be banned from 10 platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube with additional measures like AI chatbot restrictions
• Campaigners warn that broad bans could push children to riskier online areas and create a false sense of safety
• Government consultation found 90% support for a social media ban for under-16s, with 83% believing risks outweigh benefits