UK Social Media Ban LIVE Update: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, announced a ban on social media for those under 16 years old, this morning. This decision has been taken as part of a seismic package of online safety measures to protect youngsters.
The Prime Minister will unveil the plan after 8:00 AM at Downing Street. However, the ban on social media platforms is not confirmed yet, but major platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Reddit, and Snapchat are expected to be included.
The UK is expected to extend certain security measures to AI chatbots and gaming platforms, as well as introduce certain restrictions on social media use for 16- and 17-year-olds to control late-night scrolling.
Here’s what you need to know about the UK Social Media ban latest LIVE update so far.
UK Social Media Ban LIVE Update: Donald Trump on Social Media Ban
As Donald Trump’s administration is pro-tech, he may not have gone well with the announcement of the social media ban.
In response to the announcement, the US embassy in London said that “narrowly targeted requirements”, that “most content should be accessible by default”, and that age verification requirements could “impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies”.
UK Social Media Ban LIVE Update: Starmer Says Social Media Ban as ‘A Choice About Whose Side We’re On’
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, framed the social media ban as a “choice about whose side we’re on”. He said that “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy. This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”
Adding further, “People rightly expect action, and this Government will always stand up for parents and put children first. That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”
UK Social Media Ban LIVE Update: Public Consultation Found Parental Support for Ban
The public consultation on the social media ban, which closed on May 26, received about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history.
Over 83% of parents who responded said social media risks outweigh the benefits for children, with 91% backing a minimum age of 16 before platforms can offer their services to children.
Almost two-thirds, 62% of children who responded, said restricting the high-risk features would make them safer online.
However, 72% also said they were worried about feeling left out if restrictions came in.
The UK’s under-16 social media ban represents a stringent regulatory shift aiming to alter children’s digital interaction, yet it faces criticism from experts who fear risks may be driven underground.
The policy’s success depends on the enforcement of age-verification technologies against technology giants next month.
