People will attack this policy, but after extensive government consultation, 90% of the parents of under-16s support it. They have watched social media consume huge portions of their children’s lives, so have a very different perspective. Social media amplifies narcissism, materialism, envy and division at an age when young minds are still developing. It keeps children trapped in a digital ecosystem designed to maximise engagement at the expense of real-world experiences, time outdoors, hobbies, independence, and learning how to socialise and build genuine friendships. Perhaps most damaging of all, it encourages constant comparison. Children are measuring themselves against carefully curated versions of other people’s lives every hour of every day. It creates feelings of inadequacy and anxiety on a scale that older generations simply never experienced. There will be much outrage about this, but this policy is truly about protecting children, and anyone who cares about the future of society should support it.

BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under-16s. Live updates: trib.al/AaXv2Tr

BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under-16s. Live updates: trib.al/AaXv2Tr

The Aardman founders have been knighted ⚔️ They are now Sir Peter Lord and Sir David Sproxton

🚨 BREAKING : Could Keir Starmer’s under-16 social media ban breach Article 8 of the ECHR? Some people have claimed that the ban will directly breach privacy laws/rights that come from the European Convention on Human Rights.

🚨 SUMMARY: The UK's social media ban for children from early 2027: - "User-to-user" apps where people create, share and interact with content (e.g. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Facebook) will be banned for under-16s - WhatsApp, Signal and YouTube Kids will be exempt - Under-16s will also be banned from livestreaming, messaging strangers on gaming apps like Discord and using disappearing messages - 16 and 17 year olds will face nightly social media curfews and limits on infinite scrolling with more details next month - AI "romantic companion" chatbots will be banned for under-18s - Adults can still access social media through age checks like facial recognition, digital IDs, passports and credit cards

JUST IN: UK Government clarifies adults will still be able to use social media by verifying their identities with digital IDs, facial recognition, passports and credit cards.

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.

BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under-16s. Live updates: trib.al/AaXv2Tr

So, @PlayStation is basically unusable for me now. The UK Online Safety Act means I have to hand over a face scan or government ID just to use basic features. My PAYG mobile isn't accepted, and I’m not giving biometrics to a company with a history of massive data breaches. #Ps5

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.

🚨 SUMMARY: The UK's social media ban for children from early 2027: - "User-to-user" apps where people create, share and interact with content (e.g. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Facebook) will be banned for under-16s - WhatsApp, Signal and YouTube Kids will be exempt - Under-16s will also be banned from livestreaming, messaging strangers on gaming apps like Discord and using disappearing messages - 16 and 17 year olds will face nightly social media curfews and limits on infinite scrolling with more details next month - AI "romantic companion" chatbots will be banned for under-18s - Adults can still access social media through age checks like facial recognition, digital IDs, passports and credit cards

BBC: “What was your screen time?” Student: “Nine hours.” BBC: “You’re gong to have a lot more time to fill. What will you do?” Student: “Stare at a wall.”