British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced plans to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, in a significant expansion of the UK government’s online safety agenda. The proposal is expected to take effect early next year and would also include restrictions on certain gaming and livestreaming services.

The announcement marks one of the most stringent online safety measures proposed in the United Kingdom to date, reflecting growing political concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, exposure to harmful content, and digital addiction. While Starmer did not specify which platforms would be included under the ban, the policy is expected to cover widely used global social media services once enforcement mechanisms are finalised.

Speaking while unveiling the plan, Starmer said the move was necessary despite the challenges involved in implementation. He acknowledged that enforcing such restrictions would not be easy, but maintained that the government had a responsibility to act decisively in the interest of child safety. “It would not be easy,” he said, adding that the policy reflects a broader effort to limit harmful online exposure for minors.

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The Prime Minister also emphasised that the government would proceed with the proposal even in the face of resistance from major technology companies. He argued that regulators must be prepared to push back against powerful digital platforms when necessary, particularly when it comes to safeguarding children’s well-being. Starmer said he was “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” underscoring the administration’s firm stance on the issue.

The proposed restrictions form part of a wider tightening of online safety rules in the UK, which has already introduced regulatory frameworks aimed at requiring platforms to take stronger action against harmful content. The new age-based ban, however, represents a more direct intervention by restricting access altogether for a defined age group, raising questions about enforcement, verification systems, and compliance by global tech companies.

If implemented, the policy could place the UK among the first major economies to enforce a blanket social media age restriction of this scale. The announcement is expected to trigger debate among lawmakers, digital rights advocates, and technology firms over the balance between child protection and digital access, as well as the practical challenges of verifying user age across online platforms.

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