A decade-long study following almost 1,200 Melbourne school students finds a “small increased risk” of depressive symptoms for teenagers using social media at least two hours a day.<\/p>\n
Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging or forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones.<\/p>\n
But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Sir Keir has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took to X to congratulate Sir Keir.<\/p>\n
“Social media giants operate across borders,” he said.<\/p>\n
“By standing together, we can do more to hold them accountable and keep children safe online.”<\/p>\n
Sir Keir, who is likely to face a leadership challenge in the coming weeks, said people rightly expected action.<\/p>\n
“This will change the conversations that parents have and the expectations of children over time,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It will make a huge difference, it will make our children safer, it will make our children happier, it will give them more time, more security, more freedom to grow up, more opportunity.”<\/p>\n
UK Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch was also supportive of the move, posting on X that the ban was “an important step in helping parents protect childhood for children”.<\/p>\n
Why are so many under-16s still on social media?<\/a><\/p>\n Research suggests many under-16s are still active on social media platforms. BTN High explores why and tests the accuracy of popular technology used to estimate age.<\/p>\n But not everyone was so enthusiastic about the idea, with UK Reform leader Nigel Farage saying he did not think a ban would work.<\/p>\n “Whilst the social media ban is well-intentioned, it’s unlikely to work given the mass adoption of VPNs [virtual private networks],” he posted on X<\/p>\n “It will also mean the introduction of Digital ID via the back door.<\/p>\n “The real answer here is handsets for children with limited features.”<\/p>\n The UK is following Australia’s lead and is going to ban social media for under-16s. (BTN High)<\/p>\n As well as a ban on sites such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, Mr Starmer said he would take action against gaming and live streaming services that allow children to talk to strangers.<\/p>\n “Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger, an adult that you don’t know anything about? No, so we’re taking action on that,” he said.<\/p>\n Australia leads the way<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/33ea27e95a8546ebf7154466c3900503.jpeg\")
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