Starmer calls for controls to prevent children sending explicit images online The prime minister has vowed to take “bold action” in his fight to keep children safe online ahead of a set of sweeping reforms.
Sir Keir Starmer will announce an under-16s social media ban at a Downing Street press conference on Monday.
It comes as the vast majority of parents responding to a government consultation backed a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.
Sir Keir said he will “call time on a system that’s failing our kids”, adding: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy.
“This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”
The UK is expected to follow Australia’s example in raising the minimum age to 16 for sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
But the ban will go further than Australia’s by including romantic or sexual AI chatbots, and children could also be blocked from chatting to strangers on gaming platforms, according to The Sunday Times.
90 per cent of parents back social media ban, consultation finds Monday’s announcement on a social media ban for under-16s follows a government consultation which saw more than 116,000 responses from experts, parents, and young people.
Of the parents who responded, 90 per cent supported a minimum age of 16 before anyone is able to access social media, with 85 per cent saying the risk of social media outweigh the benefits.
The icons of social media apps on a mobile phone screen (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive) Nicole Wootton-Cane 15 June 2026 07:22
Government must ‘deliver in full on their pledge’ Lord Nash, a Tory former education minister who led the campaign for an under-16s social media ban in the House of Lords, said: “The government now has an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and end tech companies’ uncontrolled experiment with children’s safety.
“They must deliver in full on their pledge to raise the age limit to 16 for harmful platforms and features, with robust age verification to ensure it is properly enforced.
“Only by doing this can they begin to end the catastrophic harm being done to a generation. Let’s give our children their childhood back.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 15 June 2026 06:03
Starmer will take ‘bold action’ to keep children safe online The prime minister has said he will take “bold action” to keep children safe online.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time. As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy.
“This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.
“People rightly expect action, and this government will always stand up for parents and put children first.
“That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 15 June 2026 06:02
Starmer announces under-16s crackdown in major online safety overhaul The prime minister has vowed to take “bold action” in his fight to keep children safe online ahead of a set of sweeping reforms.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce an under-16s social media ban at a Downing Street press conference on Monday.
It comes as the vast majority of parents responding to a government consultation backed a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain 15 June 2026 06:00