Prime Minister Starmer to Detail Under-16 Social Media Restrictions Next Week
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a significant curtailment of children's access to social media, with a policy speech anticipated next week. The planned announcement coincides with Sir Keir's attendance at the G7 summit in France and the Makerfield by-election on Thursday.
Government ministers have been deliberating various options for these restrictions, including a comprehensive ban for under-16s, a measure already implemented in Australia. Discussions have also included potential exemptions for elements of social media considered less detrimental.
Initially, Sir Keir had resisted such restrictions. However, facing considerable pressure from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, alongside a notable number of Labour Members of Parliament, the government initiated a public consultation on a potential ban in March. Following the consultation's closure last month, Sir Keir committed to taking "decisive" measures, which he characterised as a "game-changer" for child online safety.
