Is social media doing more harm than good for children?
Britain’s government thinks so — and it’s preparing one of the toughest crackdowns yet.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that children under 16 will be banned from using major social media platforms.
He argued that these apps are making young people “unhappy” and exposing them to harmful, addictive content.
The proposed ban would cover popular platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp are expected to remain exempt.
Educational and child-focused services like YouTube Kids and Google Classroom are also likely to avoid restrictions.
Starmer said the move was inspired by Australia, which became the first country to introduce a similar ban last year.
Restrict Teen Social Media Access
The British government hopes to pass the legislation by the end of the year and implement it in spring 2027.
But not everyone is convinced.While some children’s charities praised the plan as a necessary step to protect young minds.
Others warned it could push teenagers into less regulated corners of the internet.
The government is also considering measures such as overnight curfews and limits on endless scrolling for minors.
As countries from Canada to France explore similar rules, one question remains.
Can governments finally tame social media, or will tech giants prove harder to log out of than expected?
