LONDON (Kashmir English): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he would ban social media for the under-16s besides imposing restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms.
The ban comes as some of the most far-reaching online restrictions to date globally.
Starmer said on Monday he is going to introduce sweeping changes to social media regulation to better protect the well-being of children while they are online.
“It is clear to me a full ban is the right choice,” he said, adding that while it would not be easy, the government had agency in pushing back against the power of big technology companies.
The nation has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones.
Starmer was compelled to take the decision due to a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online.
He spoke to parents and considered evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under 16s last year.
Starmer, who is likely to face a leadership challenge in the coming weeks, said people rightly expected action.
Australia banned social media for children
Australia remains the first nation to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them in December from platforms including TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook.
Since then, many other countries have said they are looking to regulate access to social media amid mounting concerns over the impact on children’s health and safety.
