UK Government Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under‑16s

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a proposal to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social‑media platforms, including livestreaming, citing concerns over addiction, mental‑health impacts and displaced family time. The measure is slated to take effect in 2027 and follows similar actions by Australia and pending legislation in Canada.

Experts note that while the ban aims to curb a range of online harms—including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and data‑privacy risks—questions remain about its practicality, enforcement and whether restricting access alone will address the broader social and cultural issues linked to youth screen use.