Starmer Announces Sweeping UK Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The UK government has moved from debate to decision on one of the most controversial questions in online safety: whether children should be allowed on major social media platforms before 16. Keir Starmer announced the plan on June 15, 2026, framing it as a direct intervention after years of pressure from parents, campaigners and child-safety groups.

The ban is expected to come into force in Spring 2027, with measures due to be brought to Parliament before Christmas. The government says the move will block platforms from offering services to under-16s, while critics warn it could create new risks if teenagers move to less regulated spaces.