London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, alongside new restrictions on gaming and live-streaming services.
Starmer did not immediately specify which platforms would fall under the proposed rules, but said the restrictions are expected to come into force at the beginning of next year.
In a video statement, he said the government would pursue strict safety steps to protect children from harmful digital environments, adding that a full ban appeared to be the right option.
Acknowledging that enforcement would be challenging, Starmer said governments must stand up to the influence of large technology companies and insisted he would not compromise on children’s safety and wellbeing, even if tech firms oppose the move.
Several countries including Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced age-based limits for social media use. The UK is set to join that list, while France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are reported to be considering similar measures.
