UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a significant policy shift that will impose a social media ban on children under the age of 16, according to The Guardian. The move. Described as “Australia plus. ” goes beyond the 2025 Australian law and includes stricter regulations for older teenagers up to 18, such as late-night scrolling restrictions and bans on romantic or sexual AI chatbots.

Expanded Restrictions and Policy Drivers

The ban will cover 10 major platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads, Snapchat, Twitch, and Kick. These platforms will be fully inaccessible to under-16s, while other online products like gaming apps will face new limitations, such as the removal of the option to chat with strangers. Government sources cited the need to protect teenagers from harmful and addictive content, including features like infinite scrolling, as key drivers for the policy.

Under-18s will also be barred from accessing romantic or sexual AI chatbots — the government’s decision to adopt such stringent measures is expected to face criticism from some MPs and campaigners, despite widespread public support.

Public Consultation and Parental Support

The announcement follows a three-month public consultation that closed in late March 2025 and received 116,000 responses. According to BBC. 90% of parents who responded supported a social media ban for under-16s, with over 83% believing the risks of social media outweigh its benefits, the consultation also included less drastic interventions such as curfews, stronger age verification. The disabling of addictive features like autoplay and infinite scrolling.

Ian Russell. The father of Molly Russell. A 14-year-old who took her life after being exposed to harmful content online, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of such bans. He warned that an Australia-style ban could create a “false sense of safety” and push children to other areas of the internet where they may still face risks. He also criticized the timing of the policy, suggesting it was rushed for political reasons.

Political Rationale and Public Reaction

Starmer will deliver the announcement on Monday morning, emphasizing his role as a father and his commitment to supporting families; “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time,” he will say, according to both The Guardian and BBC. “This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.”

Starmer’s government has positioned the policy as a bold action to “give every child the best possible start in life.” The move aligns with growing global concern over the impact of social media on youth mental health and is likely to spark continued debate among experts, parents, and policymakers.