U.K. follows Australia's lead with new social media ban for kids under 16

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces measures
to protect children online at the Prime Minister's residence in
central London on Monday, June 15, 2026.
(Carlos Jasso/Pool Photo via AP)
(Carlos Jasso/POOL AFP via AP)

"We're stepping in to protect children," UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer said.

The U.K. said Monday it will block social media platforms from offering their services to children under the age of 16. According to the U.K.'s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, the ban will be modeled after the one that Australia implemented in December, the first country to do so.

"This is a line in the sand," said Prime Minister Kier Starmer in a statement announcing the ban. "Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we're stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations."

The list of banned platforms includes Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google's YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and Snap. The ban does not include WhatsApp and Signal messaging services.

By Kim Lyons

Full story at Yahoo News