UK unveils sweeping social media ban for users under 16

The sweeping changes are designed to “put power back in parents’ hands and give kids the childhood they deserve,” the British government wrote in a press release.

Experts have questioned whether a blanket ban would be effective. Starmer has acknowledged the challenges, but said he believes it’s possible to enforce it.

“Every parent can see it with their own eyes, social media is making children unhappy,” Starmer said during a press conference. “It’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health, exposing them to content that is dangerous because that’s what grabs the attention. It’s designed to be addictive, of course it is. Features like the infinite scroll, they’re designed to lock you in for hours.”

He went on to argue that social media is taking away from activities that help children develop into adults, such as going to bed on time, reading, playing outside, and more.

The announcement comes as the British government had said earlier this year that it would consult parents, young people, and civil society for their views to determine whether a ban would be effective. More than 83% of parents who participated in the consultation said that social media’s risks outweigh its benefits.