Starmer to announce ‘Australia plus’ ban on social media for under-16s

Keir Starmer will ban under-16s from major social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram and X in sweeping restrictions described as “Australia plus”, the Guardian understands.

Teenagers will be banned from all the main social platforms and online products that are not covered by the ban – such as gaming apps – will face new restrictions such as having the option to chat to strangers removed. There will also be restrictions for older teenagers up to the age of 18 that prevent “scrolling” late at night – after 8.30pm.

Government sources said protecting teenagers from harmful addictive content, such as infinite scrolling, as well as contact with strangers were the key drivers of the hardline measures. Under-18s will also be banned from accessing romantic or sexual AI chatbots. “There are no half measures here,” a government source said.

The government may need to legislate to enforce the ban and to give itself flexibility to adapt to new technology, though the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act does give ministers some powers already.

In Australia, which is already enforcing a ban, under-16s are restricted from 10 major platforms – TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads, Snapchat, Twitch and Kick. UK government sources indicated that the bans on major platforms would apply to a similar range of apps.

On Sunday, the government said that nine out of 10 parents backed a minimum age of 16 for accessing the apps in responses supplied to its “growing up in the online world” consultation.

Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) said fewer children would be exposed to inappropriate or harmful content. Almost two-thirds of young people who responded said restricting the high-risk features would make them safer online.

Campaigners have been asking the prime minister to enforce some manner of social media ban. Photograph: David Parry/PA