Tomorrow morning, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce that the UK will ban under-16s from social media, a move that has sparked fierce debate between those who say it is long overdue and others who warn it is being rushed.
The ban would prevent young people under 16 from accessing certain social media sites, following the lead of Australia, which introduced a similar measure earlier this year. The announcement comes less than three weeks after a government consultation on the issue closed, having drawn more than 110,000 responses – including tens of thousands from parents. A poll by the Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank found that 44% of the public support a ban, while 39% prefer tighter regulation. Among parents with a child under 16, 54% back a ban compared with 36% who favour stricter rules.
“Explaining the UK government's plan to ban under-16s from social media, following Australia's lead.”
The push for a ban has been driven by years of campaigning from bereaved families. Molly Russell was 14 when she took her own life after viewing harmful content online. Her father, Ian Russell, set up the Molly Rose Foundation to campaign for better online safety. He has said he is “quite frankly dismayed” by reports of the government’s plan, telling the BBC it is being “rushed”. He accused the prime minister of “gambling with young people’s lives” and called the approach “deplorable”. In contrast, Esther Ghey – whose transgender teenage daughter Brianna was murdered – has argued in favour of a ban. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has defended the government’s urgency, saying “tech companies have had more than enough time to get their own house in order”. She added: “If they’re not prepared to do it, they lose the right, frankly, to market their products towards children.”
Why does this matter for UK readers? The ban would directly affect millions of teenagers and their families, changing how young people interact online. It also raises questions about freedom of expression, the effectiveness of age verification, and whether legislation can keep pace with rapidly evolving technology. The debate is not just about social media itself, but about who is responsible for protecting children – parents, tech companies, or the state.
Q: What exactly is the UK proposing? The government plans to ban under-16s from accessing certain social media platforms. The exact platforms and enforcement methods have not been confirmed, but the ban is expected to mirror Australia’s approach, which uses age verification technology and penalties for companies that fail to comply.
Q: Why is a ban being considered now? Campaigners have long argued that social media exposes children to harmful content, bullying, and exploitation. The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, was meant to address these issues, but research from the Molly Rose Foundation suggests that only “slightly fewer” children were seeing harmful content after its introduction. Nine in 10 parents demanded action, and the government says tech giants have “chosen profit over protection”.
Q: What happens to the Online Safety Act? The Online Safety Act remains in place, but critics argue it has not gone far enough. The proposed ban would be an additional measure, targeting access to platforms rather than simply regulating content. Ian Russell has pointed to the foundation’s research indicating the Act has had limited impact, which he says means a rushed ban risks repeating the same mistakes.
What happens next? The prime minister is expected to make the announcement on Monday morning. If the policy goes ahead, legislation would be needed to implement the ban. The government will also have to decide which platforms are covered and how to enforce age checks. With public opinion split and campaigners on both sides, the coming weeks will see intense debate in Parliament and beyond.