The temporary anxiety of handing in my phone at the gates of Downing Street was perhaps a small insight into how many of the nation's 13- to 15-year-olds felt this morning, as they too waited to hear the fate of their online lives. When Sir Keir Starmer finally spoke, his news was bold and blunt: yes, there will be a social media ban for under-16s, yes it will follow Australia's model, and yes, there will be additional curbs for 16- and 17-year-olds — including a night-time curfew. The UK's plan, dubbed "Australia Plus", now has its substance.
Banning alcohol sales to children doesn't stop every teenager from drinking, Starmer argued, comparing the measure to existing age restrictions. "They get around other laws," he said, "but we don't say, 'oh look, a teenager managed to get a drink somehow, so let's not bother banning alcohol sales to children.'" The ban is expected to cover platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube — though YouTube Kids will still be accessible. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt, as will gaming platforms and forums, provided they disable livestreaming.
“Keir Starmer announces UK will ban social media for under-16s, following Australia's model, with night-time curfews for teens.”
But Australia's ban has faced well-documented problems. The majority of children who had social media accounts before it was enforced in December still have them. Tim Levy, managing director of global digital safeguarding company Qoria, cautioned against following Australia's lead, noting that seven in 10 parents there say their children still use the platforms. The UK government's response is the same I hear every time there's an online safety intervention: the ban will not be a "silver bullet" but will still make some difference.
The big question is how this will actually work. Industry contacts I spoke to were blindsided to learn that the burden of age verification will fall on individual platforms — not Apple and Google, as they had assumed. The deadline is less than a year, with implementation expected next spring. Adults will have to prove their age by uploading card details or having their face scanned via a webcam. Platforms must also prevent strangers from contacting under-16s, disable disappearing messages for under-17s, and introduce overnight curfews and compulsory scrolling breaks for under-18s. The full policy plan is due in July.
Given how many horror stories I have heard during my career about children coming to harm on gaming platforms and forums, it was surprising to learn they will be exempt — though livestreaming must be disabled. Most young people want stronger protections, according to a government consultation. But as one expert put it, toxic online behaviour is a societal problem, not just a technology one. The blunt instrument of blocking tech altogether, on its own, is not the solution: "Right diagnosis, wrong prescription."