'Growing up too young': Londoners praise under-16s social media ban – video

**TL;DR:** 'Growing up too young': Londoners praise under-16s social media ban – video

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Social media access in the UK is set to be banned for under-16s as part of an online safety drive that includes a host of other restrictions. On Monday, Londoners praised the measures that are planned to block children from access to Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook, as well as livestreaming and communication on gaming platforms. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the changes were a 'line in the sand' for tech companies that had failed to keep children safe.

A government consultation sought views on restrictions, curfews, app time limits and curbs on what it has described as addictive design features. Nine out of 10 parents who responded supported a ban, and two-thirds of young people agreed that children under 16 should be blocked from using at least some platforms. YouTube, which is owned by Google, said the policy could push children towards unsafe platforms – a common point made by ban opponents. A spokesperson said: 'YouTube is a vital resource for young people, educators and parents.

Blanket bans push kids out of such curated, supervised, beneficial experiences and towards anonymous, less safe services' Social media firms hit back as Starmer announces

Source: Guardian Business

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Last updated: June 16, 2026.

Additional context: early-cycle stories often look bigger in headlines than in day-to-day impact. The useful move is to identify the smallest set of facts that would change your decision, then wait for those facts to land.

Additional context: early-cycle stories often look bigger in headlines than in day-to-day impact. The useful move is to identify the smallest set of facts that would change your decision, then wait for those facts to land.