The British government is banning social media use for anyone under 16.
"I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday. "That is why this ban must happen. That is why this ban will happen."
Starmer went on to claim that social media was designed to be addictive and was destructive for young people.
"Social media is making children unhappy. 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," Starmer said.
NBC News reported that the age restriction will be applied to social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. For now, messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal are not being included.
Britain's policy comes after Australia implemented similar age restrictions regarding social media in December 2025. The Australian policy excluded online gaming and messaging apps but focused on social media platforms similar to the UK policy.
In his statement, Starmer acknowledged that the policy will face challenges and that some children will find ways to get around the policy.
"They get around other laws too! But we don't say - oh, look a teenager managed to get a drink somehow, so let's not bother banning alcohol sales to children," he said. "We don't do that do we? That would be utterly ridiculous. And so, I just don't accept that argument."
In the U.S., social media companies have been facing potential restrictions as a result of litigation. Earlier this year, New Mexico won a $375 million judgment against Facebook and Instagram owner Meta after a verdict determined that the company had knowingly harmed the mental health of children.
Following that verdict, the New Mexico attorney general asked the court to order certain safety measures, including forcing Meta to verify that users are at least 13-years-old. The attorney general also asked for other steps such as content recommendations that were more appropriate for young people, warning labels, and permanent bans of adults who target children.
"As a practical matter, this requirement effectively requires Meta to shut down its services — for all users in the state — or else comply with impossible obligations," Meta said in response in a court filing.
In his statement, Starmer said that action had to be taken because the fundamental elements of being a child were under attack.
"It (Social media) stops children doing their homework. Reading. Playing with their friends outside. Going to bed at a decent hour," Starmer said. "Now that may not sound like much. But these are the activities that help a child develop into an adult. We know how important they are. We just never thought that something would come along to threaten them.
To be honest - I feel for this generation."
