'Social Media Making Children Unhappy': UK PM Keir Starmer Announces Social Media Ban For Children Under 16

United Kingdom has banned social media access for children under the age of 16 years on Monday, May 15, a measure aimed to avoid intrusion of technology in daily lives of young citizens.

In a video post on X, UK Prime Minister announced the suspension and wrote, "We are banning social media access for under 16s. These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life. I just can't let that go on anymore. So we're giving children their childhoods back."

We are banning social media access for under 16s.

These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life.

I just can't let that go on anymore. So we're giving children their childhoods back. pic.twitter.com/jn7iQrcwk8

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 15, 2026

ALSO READ: UK's Keir Starmer To Announce Under-16s Social Media Ban Within Days

The Labour government has noted that the restriction on social media will be stricter than Australia's curbs. The law is scheduled to be passed by the end of the year and the ban will be enforced in spring 2027, Starmer said. These restructiosn will be imposed through age verification technology. However, some content will be limited including, including YouTube Kids and Google Classroom.

Starmer's announcement comes following response from parents over a government consultation. Nine in ten parents responded to the consultation seeking such a ban, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told Sky News earlier. The administration considered two broad options: a “blanket” ban on under-16s using social media, or age restrictions on key features of social networks and apps. “A ban is on the table,” she added.

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