Every expected social media ban law set to be brought in

Need to know

Sir Keir Starmer is to announce the new law on Monday, June 15

• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will make an announcement of an under-16s social media ban at a Downing Street press conference on Monday, June 15.
• Starmer has promised “bold action” in response to calls for change from parents, after the vast majority responding to the Government consultation backed a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.
• The UK is expected to follow Australia’s example in raising the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
• And the ban will go further than Australia’s by including romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and children could also be blocked from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms, according to The Sunday Times.
• Daily social media use will be limited for under-18s in a bid to stop late-night scrolling.
• It comes after the public consultation on the issue, which closed on May 26, received about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history. Over 83% of parents who responded said social media risks outweigh the benefits for children – with 91% backing a minimum age of 16 before platforms can offer their services to children.
• Sir Keir said: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy. This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working. People rightly expect action, and this Government will always stand up for parents and put children first. That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”
• Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: “It’s shameful that it’s taken the Prime Minister’s job to be on the line for the Government to finally U-turn and ban social media for under 16s. Three times Labour voted against a ban, failing to stand up to Big Tech and protect children from the extreme content they are exposed to every day. As Conservatives we did not give up, I kept fighting for the brave bereaved parents, health professionals, and campaigners who continued to make the case for change. This victory belongs to them. The Conservatives in opposition can make a difference and this change will finally help parents and protect childhood.”
• Lord Nash, a Tory former education minister who led the campaign for an under-16s social media ban in the House of Lords, said: “The Government now has an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and end tech companies’ uncontrolled experiment with children’s safety. They must deliver in full on their pledge to raise the age limit to 16 for harmful platforms and features, with robust age verification to ensure it is properly enforced. Only by doing this can they begin to end the catastrophic harm being done to a generation. Let’s give our children their childhood back.”