Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a ban that will stop under‑16s from accessing major social platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. He argued the rule will make children happier and reshape parent‑child conversations. The move arrives as Starmer seeks to cement his policy legacy amid a looming leadership challenge from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

The ban raises the minimum age on the listed services from the current average of 13 to 16, mirroring Australia’s recent prohibition but extending further to include live‑streaming bans on gaming sites and potential overnight curfews for under‑18s. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are exempt, while the government plans to force all English schools to bar smartphones.

A consultation on the measures drew 116,000 responses, with over 83% of parents saying social‑media risks outweigh benefits and 90% supporting a 16‑year age limit. Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch praised the policy, while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage warned of VPN circumvention. The ban is slated for implementation early next year, reshaping the UK digital market across advertising and data‑selling sectors globally.