Social media ban UK latest: Starmer announces under-16s crackdown in major online safety overhaul

The prime minister has vowed to take “bold action” in his fight to keep children safe online ahead of a set of sweeping reforms.

Sir Keir Starmer will announce an under-16s social media ban at a Downing Street press conference on Monday.

It comes as the vast majority of parents responding to a government consultation backed a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.

Sir Keir said he will “call time on a system that’s failing our kids”, adding: “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.”

The UK is expected to follow Australia’s example in raising the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.

But the ban will go further than Australia’s by including romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and children could also be blocked from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms, according to The Sunday Times.