Starmer unveiled the proposal during a press conference held at his office on the morning of Monday, June 15, 2026.
He described the measure as “a vital change for our children and our future.”
“Social media is making our children unhappy. It is creating opportunities for predators and bullies, and it can even harm their mental health,” Starmer said.
Under the proposed rules, children under 16 would be barred from using Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
However, they would still be allowed to use messaging applications such as Whatsapp and Signal, although they would not be permitted to communicate with people they do not know personally.
Regarding artificial intelligence applications, including ChatGPT and similar tools, children would continue to have access to them. However, the government plans to restrict minors from seeking advice or engaging in conversations related to romantic relationships through these platforms.
The proposed legislation would not impose penalties on children who violate the rules. Instead, responsibility would fall on social media companies that fail to enforce the restrictions effectively.
Prime Minister Starmer aims to have the bill passed before Christmas this year, with implementation expected to begin in early 2027.
If enacted, the United Kingdom would join countries such as Australia and France that have adopted similar measures. Other nations, including Austria and Denmark, are reportedly considering comparable restrictions.
