Thekabarnews.com—Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer announced a major online safety initiative. It will prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Moreover, Starmer said the policy was a necessary step to protect young people.

The government will prohibit under-16s from creating or using accounts on the main social media sites, said Starmer.

The proposal would also impose tougher safety requirements on online services, such as games. In particular, it would remove functionality that allows children to chat with people they do not know.

The prime minister, who acknowledged social media had brought young people significant benefits, said the government must prioritize children’s safety. He argued the issue was more important than granting unfettered access to the digital world.

“I take this decision seriously, and I acknowledge that social media has benefits for young people, because that is the truth. Government is always about making choices, and I think a total ban is the right choice,” Starmer said.

Starmer also dismissed fears that the proposed restrictions could harm the United Kingdom’s aspirations to be a leader in technology. In addition, he said it would not affect leadership in artificial intelligence.

“I reject, and I will reject, the premise that it is impossible to support technology and AI while protecting our children,” he said. “I will never agree that we should leave children exposed just to get on with the future of technology.”

The government says there is still strong public support for the proposal. Furthermore, responses to the consultation ‘Growing Up in the Online World’ show that nine out of ten parents support a minimum age of 16 for accessing major social media platforms.

The government plans to bring forward the necessary legislation before Christmas 2026. Additionally, it hopes to introduce the ban in early 2027.

Officials said they would move quickly to finish the legislative process. This would be part of a broader effort to improve child online safety.

The legislation is part of wider plans to tackle growing worries about children’s exposure to harmful online content. It will also address cyberbullying, addictive platform features, and contact with strangers on digital services.

Starmer insisted the policy is not anti-innovation. Instead, he said, the government wants to balance promoting digital advancement with ensuring children can use technology in a safer environment.

The UK is joining a growing group of countries that have tightened rules on children’s access to social media. Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam have all introduced legislation or policies to limit the use of social media by young people. In addition, they have imposed tougher online safety requirements.

If the bill passes through Parliament, it would likely put technology companies under more obligation to check users’ ages. These companies would also have to stop underage access.

The plan is also expected to spark a global debate on online privacy and digital rights. Furthermore, it will address the role of governments in regulating social media platforms.

If passed, the legislation would be one of the most significant measures to protect children online in the United Kingdom. It would also change the way tech firms manage young users across digital platforms.

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