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Keir Starmer eyes Australia-style social media ban for teenagers

Daily Mail

Sir Keir Starmer 'is considering an Australian-style ban on social media for British youngsters'

Starmer considers following Australia with under-16s social media ban as Government says 'nothing off the table'

City AM

Big Tech braces as Keir Starmer flirts with Australia-style social media ban

The Observer

Starmer accused of blind spot over dangers of social me...

Wes Streeting: Im diplomatically ducking the question. ...

UK will keep close eye on Australias under-16s social media ban

Anadolu Agency

UK premier considers Australian-style ban on social media for children: Reports

UK Parliament

Childrensocialmedia#Contribution B28A6Bb0 419B 4Fc5 B2Ff 5A7B34651C68

The Telegraph

Starmer Considers Australian Style Social Media Ban

Lord Nash's amendment, After Clause 27

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Report stage

Guardian

A social media ban for everyone is in the national interest  not just kids under 16 | Van Badham

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"The way things are going, just a year in — I genuinely think he will leave. I think he will be forced out."

"Starmer might have to go in months."

"I predict that before this year is out, Keir Starmer will be out."

"I don't think he will survive a year [as prime minister]."

"Of course [he will be prime minister till 2029]."

How Long Will Keir Starmer Be UK's Prime Minister?

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering implementing a social media ban for children under the age of 16, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/australia-enforces-social-media-ban-for-children-under-">similar to the one that took effect in Australia in December</a>, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering implementing a social media ban for children under the age of 16, similar to the one that took effect in Australia in December, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

The development comes despite Starmer having voiced his opposition to such a proposal during an interview with The Observer earlier this month, stating "“I think it’s more about how you control the content that children can see rather than simply saying [there should be] a blanket ban.”

The development comes despite Starmer having voiced his opposition to such a proposal during an interview with The Observer earlier this month, stating "“I think it’s more about how you control the content that children can see rather than simply saying [there should be] a blanket ban.”

A government spokesperson has since confirmed to numerous news outlets that Downing Street is “closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions” and that “nothing was off the table” concerning child safety, repeating a statement originally given in Parliament on Dec. 10.

A government spokesperson has since confirmed to numerous news outlets that Downing Street is “closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions” and that “nothing was off the table” concerning child safety, repeating a statement originally given in Parliament on Dec. 10.

In a separate interview with The Observer, Health Secretary Wes Streeting already declared his support for such a scheme, warning that social media was becoming increasingly “antisocial” and a gateway for children to access the “most extreme content.”

In a separate interview with The Observer, Health Secretary Wes Streeting already declared his support for such a scheme, warning that social media was becoming increasingly “antisocial” and a gateway for children to access the “most extreme content.”

Speaking to LBC, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, meanwhile, acknowledged the government was keeping a “close eye” on Australia’s approach, but raised concerns about enforceability and the possibility it would push children toward unregulated parts of the internet.

Speaking to LBC, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, meanwhile, acknowledged the government was keeping a “close eye” on Australia’s approach, but raised concerns about enforceability and the possibility it would push children toward unregulated parts of the internet.

The reports emerged ahead of the House of Lords’ consideration of an Australian-style amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill sponsored by Lord Nash in January, which would introduce age restrictions on VPNs to support measures under the Online Safety Act.

The reports emerged ahead of the House of Lords’ consideration of an Australian-style amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill sponsored by Lord Nash in January, which would introduce age restrictions on VPNs to support measures under the Online Safety Act.

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The development comes despite Starmer having voiced his opposition to such a proposal during an interview with The Observer earlier this month, stressing that the government needs to be “really careful with social media.”

The development comes despite Starmer having voiced his opposition to such a proposal during an interview with The Observer earlier this month, stressing that the government needs to be “really careful with social media.”

A government spokesperson has since confirmed to numerous news outlets that Downing Street is “closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions” and that “nothing was off the table” concerning child safety, repeating a statement originally given in Parliament on December 10.

A government spokesperson has since confirmed to numerous news outlets that Downing Street is “closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions” and that “nothing was off the table” concerning child safety, repeating a statement originally given in Parliament on December 10.

Social media has become a breeding ground for toxicity, hate and extreme content that is overwhelming mental health services with damaged young people. Australia’s bold move to ban social media for under-16s warrants serious consideration as a radical solution to protect children from this increasingly antisocial digital nightmare.

Social media has become a breeding ground for toxicity, hate and extreme content that is overwhelming mental health services with damaged young people. Australia’s bold move to ban social media for under-16s warrants serious consideration as a radical solution to protect children from this increasingly antisocial digital nightmare.

Over 14,000 young people have made it crystal clear that blanket social media bans will not work and would risk driving children into darker, unregulated corners of the internet. What young people need is supportive adults who can guide them through the digital world, not heavy-handed restrictions that ignore their voices and lived experiences.

Over 14,000 young people have made it crystal clear that blanket social media bans will not work and would risk driving children into darker, unregulated corners of the internet. What young people need is supportive adults who can guide them through the digital world, not heavy-handed restrictions that ignore their voices and lived experiences.

Ismail Aslandag/Anadolu via Getty Images

UK Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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United Kingdom

Politics

Blanket social media bans will not work, risking driving children into darker, unregulated corners of the internet and increasing the impact of exposure once old enough to use. What young people need is supportive adults who can guide them through the digital world, not heavy-handed restrictions that ignore their voices and lived experiences.

Blanket social media bans will not work, risking driving children into darker, unregulated corners of the internet and increasing the impact of exposure once old enough to use. What young people need is supportive adults who can guide them through the digital world, not heavy-handed restrictions that ignore their voices and lived experiences.

Ismail Aslandag/Anadolu/Getty Images

Ismail Aslandag/Anadolu/Getty Images

UK Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

UK Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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UK Considers Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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