Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that under-16s will be banned from social media from spring 2027, but the policy has already divided young people and drawn warnings from tech giants. Ziame Stewart, a 15-year-old singer and dancer who builds his career on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, told the BBC he fears the ban could "bury a generation of creative talent". He pointed to artists like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and his own inspiration, British rising star Sekou, who were all discovered on social media as teenagers. "Imagine if this ban was put through ages ago – we wouldn't have any of this music," he said. Beauty influencer Harry Sawtell, who has more than 100,000 followers, acknowledged the cruelty of social media but stressed its importance for connection.
The government's plan – to be regulated before Christmas and enforced from spring 2027 – will cover platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are exempt, as is YouTube Kids. Further restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds, possibly including limits on infinite scroll and curfews, are expected next month. Sir Keir said: "I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen."
“Prime Minister Starmer's under-16 social media ban divides teens, as political and legal pressures mount.”
Tech companies pushed back. Meta warned the ban risked "isolating teens from online communities and information, and driving them to unregulated alternatives". YouTube said blanket bans push children towards "anonymous, less safe services". Snapchat, while sharing the objective of online safety, disagreed with a full ban. Joe Ryrie, co-founder of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, welcomed the move: "Millions of children will now get a few more years to grow up before entering online environments that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind."
The ban is not the only pressure on Starmer. Former health secretary Wes Streeting publicly called for the prime minister to resign this week to end the "drift and uncertainty" paralysing the Labour government. Meanwhile, a jury at the Old Bailey found Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc guilty of arson targeting Starmer's properties, including a car once owned by him and two houses, one occupied by his sister-in-law. Prosecutors said they were directed by a Russian-speaking taskmaster.
At the World Cup, England fans have been warned they risk ejection from US stadiums if they sing the anti-Starmer chant "Keir Starmer's a w****r" – already heard at a pre-tournament friendly in Orlando. FIFA's code of conduct prohibits political statements and offensive language. The Three Lions begin their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.
Starmer, meanwhile, is at the G7, where he unveiled £1 billion in French and Indian investments. But at home, his leadership faces challenges from all sides – including from the teenagers he seeks to protect.