Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly exploring the possibility of introducing a social media ban for children under the age of 16 in the United Kingdom. This move comes as the UK government observes the ongoing implementation of strict new regulations in Australia.
Monitoring the Australian Model
The Prime Minister is said to be "closely monitoring" the situation in Australia, where a landmark policy restricting social media access for young people came into force on 10 December 2025. Australian leaders argue the measures are designed to mitigate the harmful effects of platform algorithms and design features that promote excessive screen time and expose minors to damaging content.
Under the Australian rules, popular applications including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram are now limited to users who meet the mandated age requirements, effectively barring younger teenagers.
UK Government Discussions Underway
According to reports, discussions are now in progress within the UK government regarding a potential similar ban. Sir Keir and the Tech Secretary, Liz Kendall, have been in talks about how such a prohibition could function domestically.
A government spokesperson emphasised the administration's proactive stance, stating: "We understand parents’ concerns about the impact of social media on children, which is why we’ve taken some of the boldest steps globally to ensure online content is genuinely age-appropriate."
The spokesperson added that protection must be balanced with access, noting: "It’s important we protect children while letting them benefit safely from the digital world, without cutting off essential services or isolating the most vulnerable." They confirmed that "any action must be based on robust evidence."
Ministerial Calls for Radical Rethink
The debate follows strong comments from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who recently urged ministers to "think much more radically" about social media platforms. Speaking to the Observer, Streeting highlighted that these networks can be "a place of bullying, intimidation, sometimes misogyny, even radicalisation."
Drawing a stark comparison with past generations, he said: "I think about how difficult it was when I was a teenager to sneak myself into a 15 or 18 film at a cinema. Nowadays kids are able to access the most extreme content."
While no formal policy has been announced, the government's statement that "nothing is off the table" when it comes to children's safety signals a significant potential shift in the UK's approach to online safety and age verification.
