Starmer set to ban under-16s from major social media platforms

Article excerpt

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to ban children under 16 from major social media platforms, marking what his government describes as "bold action" to protect young people online. The restrictions will be formally announced Monday, following weeks of debate over age limits and digital safety. The move targets platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, which have faced mounting criticism for their effects on children's mental health and wellbeing. Starmer frames the ban as necessary intervention, though the policy faces questions about enforcement and whether it will simply push underage users to less regulated corners of the internet.