The UK government has announced a nationwide ban social media access for children under 16, citing growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on the safety, well-being and mental health of young people.
The announcement was made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a viral video message in which he described the measure as a necessary step to protect children from the harmful effects of social media.
Parents are voicing their concerns on social media
Speaking as both a parent and a national leader, Starmer said his main wish for children was always that they were safe and happy.
“Every parent wants the best for their children and that’s what being a parent is all about,” he said. “For my two children, all I’ve ever wanted, with all my heart, is for them to be safe and to be happy.”
The Prime Minister asserted that children today face a more challenging environment than previous generations due to the increasing influence of technology in their daily lives.
“These days, children have to navigate a world that is changing so quickly, where technology is encroaching on every area of their lives,” he said.
The government cites evidence and public consultation
According to Starmer, thousands of parents who took part in a government consultation expressed concern about the impact of social media on their children.
“The parents’ answer at the counseling session was completely clear. “Thousands of parents say that their children are addicted to social networks,” he said.
He warned that excessive use of social networks can have serious consequences for young people.
“It can leave them trapped in a cycle of endless scrolling that squeezes out play, sleep and family time. It can harm their mental health and frankly, parents need our support in this.”
He described the ban as a big national step
Announcing the policy, Starmer stated: “That is why today the government decided to ban access to social networks for children under 16 years old.”
He described the decision as a significant moment for the country, but acknowledged the challenges involved in implementing such a measure.
“This is a big step for our country. Now, that’s not easy to do, I’ll be honest about that. We have not rushed it, we have looked carefully at the evidence and we will have to adapt our approach as the technology changes.”
The government is ready for the opposition
The prime minister said the move was likely to be met with resistance from some of the world’s biggest technology companies, but insisted the government would not back down.
“It’s fair to say that this decision has met with resistance and will face resistance from some of the world’s most powerful companies, but we will take them on and we will win because the need for action could not be clearer.”
‘Our children deserve better’
Starmer concluded by pointing out that the aim of the policy is to provide children with a safer and healthier childhood.
“Social media is making our children unhappy and insecure and as a parent, as well as the Prime Minister, I simply cannot allow that to happen anymore because our children deserve better,” he said.
“They deserve a happy, safe childhood in a stronger, fairer Britain.”
Watch the video here…
The British government bans access to social networks for children under the age of 16
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 15, 2026
