Starmer to ban social media for under-16s

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce plans for a ban on social media for children under 16, following Australia's landmark move to restrict online platform access for minors. The announcement comes after the government considered evidence from Australia's implementation, which took effect in December 2025, and follows a nationwide consultation on children's access to social media. A Downing Street source stated that Starmer is prepared to take on tech companies to protect young people from harmful content. The UK's children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has called for the ban to extend to 16 and 17-year-olds, arguing that teenagers should not receive lesser protection than younger children. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has backed the proposal, saying tech firms must prove their services are safe for children or face a ban on being available to under-16s. Other European countries including France, Denmark, Poland, and Greece are also considering similar restrictions, with Greece announcing it will ban access for those under 15 from January 2027. However, experts remain divided on the effectiveness of such bans, and young people have expressed opposition to the restrictions. Australia's ban, which came into effect in June 2026, has already faced criticism from young Australians who say it is failing to achieve its intended goals. Britain's existing online safety law already requires social media companies to take measures to protect children from illegal and harmful content, and the government is also considering additional measures to prevent children from producing sexualised images that could be used for sextortion purposes.