Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for under the age of 16 as he vowed to protect children online.
The unprecedented block is set to restrict the internet usage of more than 12 million under-16s.
He has proposed the landmark policy will be enforced by “highly effective age assurance systems”, through age-recognition facial scans and digital IDs.
The apps impacted are expected to include TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit.
The ban will not come into force until May 2027.
Thanking “courageous” campaigners, Sir Keir said at a press statement in Downing Street: “Can I say how great it is to see so many people here who played such a key role in the consultation?
“Some people are dismissive of processes like this, but policy making that doesn’t listen very carefully to the voices of those it seeks to serve, that is not how this Government carries out its business.
“And so I just want to thank you for the role that you have all played and indeed I want to thank all the people who have campaigned so courageously on this issue, including those who have done so after suffering terrible tragedy or loss.”
The Prime Minister warned that social media was making young people vulnerable to “dangerous” content online, sharing his own experience as a father-of-two.
Sir Keir Starmer announced a social media ban for under-16s this morning
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PA
He said: “All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe and I think that’s what any parent wants.
“But I ask the question now: do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? Do we truly believe that it’s a place where they can feel safe? I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I? Every parent can see it with their own eyes.
“Social media is making children unhappy, it’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them. And it could even be harming their mental health, exposing them to content that is dangerous.”
He added that it is “designed to be addictive”, with the “infinite scroll” posing a risk to children up and down the nation.
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The Prime Minister said that parents will welcome a “clear and decisive choice” and appreciate that Labour “supports them to do the bet for their children and fights for their happiness and safety against the most powerful companies in the world”.
Sir Keir acknowledged that the blanket ban could face a fight, but he added: “Now it doesn’t have to be, I always prefer the politics of partnership, and I fundamentally believe we must harness the power of technology to build a stronger, fairer Britain.
“But we must always protect our children.”
The Labour leader also vowed the UK would take “world-leading” action on gaming and live-streaming platforms so strangers will not be able to contact children.
He admitted that the rollout “won’t be easy” with some high-flying tech firms “wanting us to think that social media is unchangeable”.
“Yes, it’s hard, hard to legislate for, hard to regulate, hard to enforce, that is why we sought a wide range of views on this,” the Prime Minister added.
Parents who have blamed social media for their children’s death have already lauded Labour’s “fantastic” online crackdown, including Ellen Roome.
Ms Roome, whose son died in 2022, told the BBC: “To actually hear him step up and do this was phenomenal and I thought it was a very good speech, it was very powerful.
“The devil is bringing the details of how this actually happens but I think, well done, thank you.”
Meanwhile, a top adviser at Save the Children UK, Jeffrey Demarco, warned that a blanket ban could appear “protective on paper”, but warned that it risked “pushing children into less regulated spaces, where they are less likely to seek help when something oges wrong”.
The landmark legislation is said to be Sir Keir’s attempt at leaving a legacy behind in a fateful week for his leadership, with the Makerfield by-election just days away.