British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to unveil restrictions on dangerous online platforms for children under 16 while preserving access to safer social media alternatives, according to a Monday report from the Times newspaper.
The prime minister, scheduled to deliver remarks later Monday, reportedly made his decision following conversations with grieving parents and after reviewing evidence from Australia, which implemented restrictions for those under 16 in December.
When questioned about the report, a Downing Street source stated: “The prime minister is not afraid about taking on the tech companies and their bosses to protect young people.”
However, a source familiar with the situation indicated that formal restrictions would not likely be announced this week. Instead, the government may provide immediate details about initiatives to stop children from creating sexualized content online that could be exploited for sextortion.
Concerns about social media’s effects on mental wellness and digital safety led Britain to conduct a public consultation on children’s social media access earlier this year, examining potential curfews, usage limits and restrictions on addictive platform features.
Several European nations are exploring stricter social media regulations for minors, including France, Denmark and Poland, while Greece announced in April that it would prohibit access for those under 15 beginning in January 2027.
According to a Sunday statement from his office, Starmer is expected to address how the government can ensure technology creates positive outcomes during his Monday speech.
Current British online safety legislation already mandates that social media platforms implement protections for children against illegal and harmful digital content.
Specialists remain split on whether complete restrictions would prove effective, while a group of young Londoners recently expressed opposition to such limitations in interviews with Reuters.
